Oil spill from tanker believed to be Russian reaches Oman's coastline, Muscat authorities say

Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the coast of Oman is not only endangering a nearby island but has now also reached beaches on the Gulf Arab country’s mainland, to the north of the island, Oman’s environment authority said Wednesday.

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Crude oil has been leaking from the tanker Caroline Bezengi—a sanctioned tanker believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet"—that was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil when it reported an explosion in June.

No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the cause of the explosion has not been revealed.

Oman, a sultanate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has been a mediator in the ongoing war in Iran, which the United States and Israel launched on 28 February.

Oil spill endangering marine protected area

Environmental experts said an oil spill has been spreading quickly in recent weeks from the partially submerged tanker off the shores of Qabiliyah Island, endangering a marine protected area there.

According to recent satellite photos, the spill is rapidly spreading over an area of more than 600 square kilometres due to the monsoon season's strong winds and currents.

The beaches of Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, around 200 kilometres north of Qabiliyah Island, have also been contaminated, according to Oman's Environment Authority, which has been keeping an eye on the leak.

The authorities also warned that the southern coasts of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometres north of the submerged tanker’s location, may also be affected in the coming hours.

The 247-metre Caroline Bezengi, whose owners are thought to be situated in Shanghai, is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying Russian oil.

It had left the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in Russia, in May, according to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime.