Oil spill from tanker believed to be Russian reaches Oman's coastline, Muscat authorities say

By Jerry Fisayo-Bambi with AP Published on 13/08/2026 - 6:17 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The beaches of Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, around 200 kilometres north of Qabiliyah Island, have also been contaminated, according to Oman's Environment Authority, which has been keeping an eye on the leak. Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the coast of Oman is not only endangering a nearby island but has now also reached beaches on the Gulf Arab country’s mainland, to the north of the island, Oman’s environment authority said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Crude oil has been leaking from the tanker Caroline Bezengi—a sanctioned tanker believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet"—that was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil when it reported an explosion in June. No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the cause of the explosion has not been revealed. Oman, a sultanate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has been a mediator in the ongoing war in Iran, which the United States and Israel launched on 28 February. Oil spill endangering marine protected area Environmental experts said an oil spill has been spreading quickly in recent weeks from the partially submerged tanker off the shores of Qabiliyah Island, endangering a marine protected area there. According to recent satellite photos, the spill is rapidly spreading over an area of more than 600 square kilometres due to the monsoon season's strong winds and currents. The beaches of Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, around 200 kilometres north of Qabiliyah Island, have also been contaminated, according to Oman's Environment Authority, which has been keeping an eye on the leak. This satellite photo taken Wednesday Aug. 5, 2026, shows the tanker Caroline Bezengi, grounded and partly submerged off the coast of Oman, leaking crude oil into the sea. Pleiades © CNES 2026, Distribution Airbus DS via AP/Pleiades © CNES 2026, Distribution Airbus DS via AP The authorities also warned that the southern coasts of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometres north of the submerged tanker’s location, may also be affected in the coming hours. The 247-metre Caroline Bezengi, whose owners are thought to be situated in Shanghai, is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying Russian oil. It had left the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in Russia, in May, according to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Oil tanker hit by 'unknown projectile' in Strait of Hormuz, British military says US strikes Iran-bound tanker near Oman, sparking India protest over missing crew First oil tanker attacked in the Strait of Hormuz according to Oman Iran war Oil tanker Russia Gulf of Oman Oil spill Oman