Sanctioned Oil Tanker Leak Off Oman Threatens Marine Ecosystem
A sanctioned oil tanker, the Caroline Bezengi, has been leaking crude oil off the coast of Oman, near a marine protected area. Satellite images show an oil sheen covering approximately 20 square kilometers, with crude oil slicks reaching the shores of Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island. The tanker, sanctioned by the U.K., EU, Canada, and Switzerland for carrying Russian-origin oil, has been grounded since June. Environmental experts warn that the monsoon season could exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a larger oil disaster. The Omani government has ordered the tanker’s removal, but it remains unclear if the owners have complied.