Tripoli, March 4 (QNA) - A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast after a series of explosions triggered a major fire on board, Libyan maritime authorities said on Wednesday.

The vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, was sailing from Murmansk in northern Russia to Port Said in Egypt when it caught fire late Tuesday in waters between Libya and Malta.

The Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said the ship experienced "sudden explosions followed by a massive fire" that ultimately led to its sinking about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte, within Libya's search-and-rescue zone.

The tanker, about 277 meters long and carrying roughly 62,000 metric tons of LNG, issued a distress call before the incident, prompting rescue efforts coordinated between Libyan and Maltese authorities.

All 30 crew members were rescued by a nearby cargo vessel, with no serious injuries reported, authorities said. (QNA)