The United Nations’ maritime agency has confirmed that oil from the Caroline Bezengi, a massive tanker currently grounded off the coast of Oman, has begun washing ashore. The spill, which spans roughly 400 square kilometers near a protected nature reserve, has raised significant environmental concerns. While local authorities have activated emergency spill contingency plans to mitigate the damage, the situation remains precarious as the slick continues to drift toward the mainland near Al-Qibliyyah Island.

The vessel, which was carrying approximately 800,000 barrels of Russian oil destined for Asia, ran aground on June 30 about 22 nautical miles from the village of Sharbithat. Officials from the International Maritime Organization noted that the leak has persisted for some time, with volatile seasonal monsoon conditions severely hampering salvage crews and limiting access to the ship. The agency continues to monitor the site closely as efforts to contain the environmental impact struggle against the challenging coastal weather.