A sea drone loaded with 100 kilograms of explosives and found by fishers off the western Greek island of Lefkada has been rendered harmless, Greek radio broadcaster ERTNews reported on Sunday.
The 6-metre drone was found near rocks off the Ionian island with its motor still running on Thursday and towed to a small harbour on the island, without the fishers being aware of its contents.
ERTNews reported on the basis of information from Greek coastguard sources that the explosives had been detonated in a controlled explosion and that the drone had been taken to a special naval facility where an investigation was proceeding into its origin, technical capabilities and the route taken.
"This is a serious case," Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis told Greek radio, Greek media have reported that the drone was a MAGURA of Ukrainian make. These drones have been used in Ukraine's war with Russia.
The Kathimerini newspaper reported that the authorities were investigating a connection with Ukraine's use of seaborne drones to target Russia's shadow tanker fleet. Attacks of this kind have been reported in the Mediterranean Sea in the past, between Libya and Crete and off Malta.
Witnesses reported that the boat's engine was still running, leading to the suspicion that its operators had lost contact with it and that it had travelled on until striking the shore.
The authorities in Athens have expressed concern that a sea drone packed with explosives reached a holiday island, highlighting maritime safety, threats to infrastructure and the safety of the population.
