Oman coast hit by oil spill from Russian shadow fleet tanker

An oil spill has affected approximately 12 kilometers of the southeastern coast of Oman near the Ras Madraka area. The spill originated from the Caroline Bezengi, a tanker identified as part of the Russian shadow fleet used to bypass international sanctions.

The vessel, which is currently on the sanctions lists of both the European Union and the United Kingdom, has been grounded near Kibliya Island in the Arabian Sea for over a month. The tanker reportedly suffered damage from three explosions of unknown origin while near the Yemeni port of Mukalla in June.

Omani authorities reported that the oil slick covers an area of roughly 390 square kilometers between the Hallaniyat Islands and the coast of the Dhofar province. While the spill has reached the mainland, the Masirah Island remains unaffected. The British firm Ambrey has been hired to secure the tanker, though the duration and cost of the operation remain unspecified. Environmental authorities stated that rescue operations are ongoing as the slick moves toward open waters.