Oman says the oil spill from a grounded tanker has reached its coastline

Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the coast of Oman has contaminated not only a nearby island but also beaches on the country's mainland, according to Oman’s environment authority. The incident occurred on June 27 when the sanctions-banned tanker Caroline Bezengi, carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil, reported an explosion.

Despite no party claiming responsibility for the explosion, environmental experts warn that the spill could spread rapidly, especially with the onset of the monsoon season. Oman’s Environment Authority confirmed that the contaminated oil has reached the beaches of Ras Madrakah, located 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Qabiliyah Island, where the tanker is grounded.

They also cautioned that the southern coasts of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometers (185 miles) away, may also be affected. The tanker, believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," had departed the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May, according to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime.