Oil spill from tanker near Oman spreads over huge area after blast on board

An oil slick is covering an area of around 390 square kilometers (150 square miles) off the coast of Oman, the country’s government says, after a vessel under sanctions and carrying Russian crude sustained damage.

The Caroline Bezengi’s crew first reported difficulties on June 8 off the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla, two maritime ​security sources said, adding that initial assessments indicated that a blast occurred onboard.

In its first public disclosure of details of the environmental impact, Oman says it is seeking to tackle the oil leak in its waters near the Hallaniyat Islands off the southern governorate of Dhofar.

A statement from Oman’s Environment Authority carried by the Omani state news agency says the oil slick covers approximately 390 square kilometers based on its latest analysis that included satellite imagery. It says the slick extends northeast of the islands towards the mainland and at its nearest point comes within an estimated seven kilometers of the shore.

An analysis by Reuters of satellite imagery and shipping specialists shows the spill from the stranded 274-metre (900-foot) Caroline Bezengi tanker was still spreading at the end of last month, raising concern about possible environmental damage.

The cause of the damage to the vessel is unclear and Oman does not offer any explanation.