Oman moves to contain oil spill after tanker runs aground
The Oman Environment Authority on Monday said the ongoing spill had affected roughly 390 square km.
Oman is taking steps to contain an oil spill off its southern coast following the grounding of a tanker near Al-Qibliyyah Island in June. The ship, which set off explosions, had been stranded for weeks and triggered environmental concerns. The spill has affected approximately 390 square kilometers, primarily impacting the marine reserve around Hallaniyat archipelago, home to coral reefs, turtle nesting areas and diverse marine life.
Authorities are conducting aerial surveillance, deploying divers and developing a plan to transfer the tanker's oil cargo to mitigate risks, ensure safety and protect the marine environment. The cause of the spill remains unidentified, but British maritime security company Vanguard reported that the tanker experienced explosions off the coast of Yemen in early June, allowing water to enter several sections of the vessel.
Environmental advocacy groups warn that the tanker, carrying about one million barrels of crude, is at risk of causing an environmental disaster. The ship is believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, consisting of aging vessels with questionable maintenance, insurance and safety standards. Recent months have seen a rise in tanker attacks in the Gulf region amid the US-Iran conflict.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
