Oil spill from grounded tanker reaches Oman’s mainland beaches
Oman’s Environment Authority said Wednesday that oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the country’s coast had reached mainland beaches. The spill threatened marine habitats and a nearby protected area as strong winds and monsoon currents spread the oil, raising fears it could reach other islands.
Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off Oman's coast has reached the country's mainland beaches. The tanker, named Caroline Bezengi, was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil when it reported an explosion in June, according to Associated Press. Oman's Environment Authority said the oil spill has contaminated beaches in the Ras Madrakah area, 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island, where the tanker is located.
The spill is threatening marine habitats and a nearby protected area, with strong winds and monsoon currents spreading the oil. The southern coasts of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometers north of the submerged tanker's location, may also be affected, according to Associated Press. Oman's Environment Authority warned that the contamination could stretch along a 40km stretch of coastline, The National UAE reported.
Specialists are working to limit the spread of the oil spill, with a focus on areas of high environmental sensitivity. The authority has advised people not to approach any spotted materials or pollutants but to report them to authorities. Concerns have been raised over habitats, coral reefs, and turtle-nesting grounds in the area, particularly on Masirah Island, which is popular with wildlife enthusiasts who come to watch turtles nesting and hatching.
Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Associated Press, Winnipeg Free Press, The National UAE, Gulf News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
