Oil leak reaches Oman's beaches and closes in on largest island

An oil leak off Oman's coast has begun contaminating beaches and threatens to reach the largest island in the archipelago, according to officials. The spill is originating from the stricken tanker, Caroline Bezengi, which came to a halt near Oman's Hallaniyat islands following an explosion. The oil slick is drifting northwards, already affecting mainland Oman's shores.

Monitoring results on Wednesday revealed contamination in the Ras Madrakah area. Oman's Environment Authority predicts the pollution will extend along a 40km stretch of coastline. The southern beaches of Masirah island, Omani's largest island, could also be impacted "in the coming hours," the authority warned on Wednesday evening.

Masirah is a favored destination for wildlife enthusiasts who visit to observe nesting and hatching turtles. Specialists are working to contain the spread, focusing on areas of high environmental sensitivity. Authorities have cautioned the public to avoid any spotted materials or pollutants and to report them to the appropriate authorities.

In a previous update on Monday, officials said there were no concerns regarding desalination plants or coastal land in Oman. Last year, a royal decree established a "marine buffer zone" around the Hallaniyat islands, requiring permits for fishing or conducting research. The Caroline Bezengi, loaded with Russian crude, last transmitted a signal to public trackers on June 11 off the coast of Yemen.

The ship, sailing under a Cameroon flag, is subject to British and European Union sanctions due to suspicions of transporting Russian oil. The fate of the crew remains unknown, and speculation about a Ukrainian mine attack has not been confirmed.