A vast oil spill originating from the tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached the coastline of Oman, according to the country's Environment Authority. The spill threatens to impact up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) of coast near Ras Madrakah, as well as the southern beaches of Masirah Island, which lies about 15 kilometers off the Omani coast. The affected stretch on Masirah Island could extend 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles).

The Caroline Bezengi has been leaking crude oil since it ran aground approximately 22 nautical miles (41 kilometers) from the coastal town of Sharbithat after the crew reported a suspected explosion on June 8. The tanker was carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of sanctioned oil and ran aground on June 30.

Satellite imagery reviewed by oil spill specialist John Amos indicates the slick now covers an area exceeding 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles). Earlier this week, Omani authorities reported the spill affected nearly 400 square kilometers (154 square miles), concentrated around the Hallaniyat archipelago, a marine reserve established to protect sea turtles and other aquatic life.

Oman has been working to contain the spill, which experts warn could become one of the world's worst in recent years due to its unchecked spread over several weeks. The Caroline Bezengi had passed through the Suez Canal at the end of May and sailed through the Red Sea, near Yemen, where regional conflicts involving Iran-aligned Houthi fighters and Saudi Arabia-flagged ships are ongoing.

Environmental authorities continue monitoring the situation as the oil threatens to contaminate additional coastal areas in the coming hours.

Sources