Oil spill from tanker believed to be Russian reaches Oman's coastline, Muscat authorities say
The beaches of Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, around 200 kilometres north of Qabiliyah Island, have also been contaminated, according to Oman's Environment Authority, which has been keeping an eye on the leak.
An oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, damaged by explosions off Oman's Al-Qibliyyah island, has reached the mainland coastline, according to state media reports. The United Nations maritime agency is monitoring the spread of the crude oil, which drifted northeast of Al-Qibliyyah and reached some beaches in the Ras Madrakah area, as reported by the Oman News Agency.
The spill affected roughly 390 square kilometers, primarily around the Hallaniyat archipelago. The monsoon season has hindered containment efforts, delaying salvage operations. The cause of the spill remains unknown, but British maritime security company Vanguard claimed the tanker was hit by explosions off Yemen's coast in early June.
Environmental groups warn that the spill could lead to a significant environmental disaster, as the tanker was carrying about one million barrels of crude oil. Iran reported an oil slick in the Strait of Hormuz affecting Qeshm Island's beaches and a mangrove forest, while the Iranian foreign ministry blamed a foreign bulk carrier for the pollution.
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- Oil spill from tanker damaged by explosions reaches Oman coast freemalaysiatoday.com
