Oil Spill Escalates Off Oman: Warnings of Imminent Environmental Catastrophe

Greenpeace and Pax organizations have warned of the risk of an "environmental catastrophe" off the southern coasts of the Sultanate of Oman, following the detection of a massive expansion in an oil spill from a stranded and dilapidated oil tanker. The organizations stated that the vessel in question is the oil tanker "Caroline Bezengi," loaded with approximately one million barrels of Russian crude oil. The vessel had suffered three mysterious explosions last June off the coast of Yemen, which led to engine failure and water ingress into its compartments, before it drifted and ran aground off the Omani coast. Satellite images have shown that the oil spill has rapidly expanded to cover approximately 600 square kilometers, compared to only about 20 square kilometers in late July, with thick black crude oil patches observed reaching the southern and western shores of Oman's "Al Qibliyah Island." Researchers warned that the ship's continued exposure to severe waves and monsoon winds could lead to its complete rupture and sinking, meaning the entire cargo would be discharged into the sea. This spill is located in the heart of the Al Hallaniyat Islands Natural Reserve, declared a protected area in 2025, thus threatening coral reefs, seagrass meadows, as well as areas inhabited by endangered sea turtles, breeding sites for migratory seabirds, and rare humpback whale feeding grounds. This pollution also directly threatens the livelihoods of local Omani fishing communities who depend on these ecologically rich waters.