{
  "id": 307420,
  "title": "Leaking tanker off Omani coast is sinking deeper, satellite images show",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/leaking-tanker-off-omani-coast-is-sinking-deeper-satellite-images-show",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T11:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/oman-russia-oil-tanker-f445bfd4110dd2e44e010dc0b95c825e"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Satellite images have revealed that a sanctioned tanker carrying nearly a million barrels of oil is sinking deeper off the coast of Oman, leaking increasing amounts of crude into the surrounding sea. The tanker, named Caroline Bezengi, has been grounded for weeks and is situated near Qibliyah Island on Oman's southwest coast. The oil spill has expanded significantly, covering nearly 800 square kilometers as of August 7, according to Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert from Dutch organization PAX. Greenpeace Germany's Nina Noelle reports that the spill has grown from 45 square kilometers on July 26 to around 600 square kilometers by August 4.\n\nThe affected area is part of the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected zone housing endangered wildlife, such as petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale. The 247-meter tanker was grounded off Qibliyah Island in southwest Oman for two months after an explosion on board on June 8. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's \"shadow fleet\" and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for transporting Russian oil. It departed from Russia's Novorossiysk port in May, as per geospatial data from SynMax Maritime. The ship's owners are reportedly from Shanghai, according to Greenpeace and other sources. Satellite images on August 5 show an oil sheen trailing northeast of the tanker, grounding off the rocky coastline, and surrounding the island.",
  "summary": "Satellite images reveal that a sanctioned tanker, the Caroline Bezengi, is increasingly submerged off the coast of Oman, with oil leaking into the surrounding sea. The spill has expanded from 45 square kilometers to 600 square kilometers since July, affecting a protected marine area and potentially endangering endangered wildlife. The tanker, believed to be part of Russia's \"shadow fleet\" and subject to sanctions, has been grounded for two months after an explosion onboard. Oman's government has launched an investigation, but it remains unclear if rescue or salvage efforts are underway.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}