Oil slick off Oman coast expands to 600 sq km, threatening environmental disaster

An oil slick originating from a grounded tanker off the coast of Oman has grown to an alarming 600 square kilometers, prompting grave concerns about a major environmental catastrophe. Satellite imagery clearly shows the vast scale of the spill, which threatens ecologically sensitive marine areas.

Environmental organization Greenpeace has issued stark warnings, highlighting the potential devastation to coral reefs, marine animals, and migratory birds. The affected waters are home to the rare Arabian humpback whale and are crucial breeding grounds for turtles and seabirds. The tanker, identified as Caroline Bezengi, is reportedly part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a collection of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions, and is subject to EU sanctions.

Reports suggest the tanker loaded oil in the Russian port of Novorossiysk and was likely en route to India when it experienced an incident at sea in early June, including multiple explosions. Speculation exists that Ukraine may have been involved, though Oman's distance from Ukraine makes such an attack logistically challenging. The ship appears to be linked to a shell company in Shanghai, a common tactic for vessels in the Russian shadow fleet.

Oman's Ministry of Transport has ordered the ship's owners to remove the vessel and its cargo, but the lack of a clear owner or flag state complicates liability for the ecological and financial consequences of the leak. Greenpeace stressed the urgent need for intervention to salvage the tanker and prevent further damage, noting that even minor oil leaks can disrupt marine ecosystems for years.

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There is a need for timely intervention, to salvage the tanker and prevent worse, because even small oil leaks can disrupt marine areas for years.