An oil spill from the stranded tanker that ran aground off Oman coast has reportedly begun reaching the mainland. According to the Oman’s environment authority, the oil leak from a tanker is now endangering the nearby island and is also reaching the country’s mainland.
Crude oil has been leaking from the tanker Caroline Bezingi, a sanctioned tanker believed to be part of Russia’s fleet, that was carrying near one million barrels of oil when it was reportedly exploded in June. No party had claimed responsibility for the incident and the cause of the explosion has not been revealed yet.
However, the oil spill from the tanker is now reaching the mainland of Oman’s beaches. Environmental experts believe that an oil spill has been spreading quickly in recent weeks from the partially submerged tanker off the shores of Qabilia Island, endangering the marine protected area there. Oman’s environmental authority said that it has been monitoring the leak and found that the contamination has also reached the beaches of Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, some 200 kilometers to the north of Qabilia Island.
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The authorities also warned that southern coast of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometers north of the submerged tanker’s location, may also be affected in the coming days. The 247-meter Karoline Bezingi is believed to be part of Russia’s fleet and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying the Russian oil.
Oman on Monday said that it was working to contain the spill which has affected roughly 390 square kilometers, according to the most recent analysis from the country’s environment agency. Advocacy groups have expressed fears that the spill is on the verge of causing an environmental disaster. According to the authorities, the seasonal monsoon has limited access to the vessel and has delayed the salvage operations.
