(Credit - Oman News Agency)
Oman Battles 390km² Oil Slick
Oman is working to contain an oil spill off its southern coast after a tanker ran aground in June inside a protected marine area. The Oman Environment Authority said the ongoing spill had affected roughly 390 square kilometres, according to its most recent analysis. Environmentalists have triggered calls for action, with advocacy groups Greenpeace and PAX warning that the spill is on the verge of causing an “environmental disaster”.
The tanker, Caroline Bezengi, was carrying around one million barrels of crude when it ran aground at Al Hallaniyat Islands in the Governorate of Dhofar. The vessel was rocked by explosions in early June, causing water to enter several sections. Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the spill but are in the early stages of developing a plan to transfer the vessel’s oil cargo to reduce risks and protect the marine environment.
The slick is concentrated around Oman‘s Hallaniyat archipelago, where a marine reserve was established last year to protect sensitive ecosystems home to diverse marine life, including rare sea turtles. The country’s environment authority has emphasized the need for rapid action to protect the area’s biodiversity, including coral reefs, turtle nesting areas, and coastal areas of ecological importance.
This incident follows a similar environmental concern in the region, where marine life has been impacted by human activities. The Oman Environment Authority’s efforts to contain the spill are crucial in preventing further damage to the marine ecosystem.
