Caroline Bezengi oil spill expands to 800 km² off Oman
The Russian‑linked tanker Caroline Bezengi, carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil, has been grounded off Qibliyah Island on Oman's southwest coast since June. An explosion was reported on board on June 8, and satellite images show the vessel becoming increasingly submerged through early August 2026.
The oil leak has grown dramatically, covering about 45 km² on July 26, roughly 600 km² by early August, and nearly 800 km² by August 7. The spill threatens a marine protected area in the Arabian Sea that hosts endangered petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale, as well as coral reefs and sea turtles.
The Omani government has said it is responding to the incident. The tanker is part of Russia's shadow fleet and is under sanctions from the United Kingdom and the European Union. Ownership is linked to a Shanghai‑based shell company, and the vessel sails without a flag.
Entities: Caroline Bezengi · European Union · Greenpeace · Hallaniyah Archipelago · Oman · Russia · Russian shadow fleet · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Explosions were reported on board the tanker on June 8. (reported by crew and media)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The vessel is grounded off Qibliyah Island on Oman's southwest coast. (satellite imagery and reports)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The tanker has been increasingly submerged, sinking deeper as of early August 2026. (satellite images reviewed by AP and others)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ship is part of Russia's shadow fleet and was sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the European Union. (NGO and sanction lists)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Omani government said it is responding to the incident. (official statements)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The spill threatens a marine protected area that hosts endangered petrels and the Arabian Sea humpback whale. (environmental experts)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The oil spill expanded from about 45 km² on July 26 to roughly 600 km² by August 4, reaching nearly 800 km² by August 7. (satellite imagery analysis)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The tanker Caroline Bezengi is carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil. (shipping data and reports)