Oman says oil spill from stricken tanker has reached its coast

What the report says

Oman’s Environment Authority said oil from the disabled tanker Caroline Bezengi has now reached the country’s mainland, contaminating beaches along the central coast. The spill was reported on Wednesday to have affected as much as 40km of coastline at Ras Madrakah, with authorities also warning that pollution may soon reach part of Masirah Island’s southern shore.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, the tanker has been leaking crude since it ran aground off Oman in June and has been disabled near the Al Hallaniyat Islands since June 8, when the crew reported a suspected explosion. Omani officials said specialised teams are still monitoring and responding to the pollution, focusing on areas considered environmentally sensitive.

The article said earlier estimates from Omani authorities put the slick at nearly 400 sq km, concentrated around the Hallaniyat archipelago, which includes a marine reserve created last year to protect sea turtles and other marine life. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have said the spill may be larger than official figures suggest.

The tanker has also drawn attention because Western governments have linked it to Russia’s shadow fleet used to move sanctioned oil. Al Jazeera reported that the cause of the incident has not been disclosed, and that the ship is under sanctions from several jurisdictions.