Now Reading: Sanctioned tanker leaking oil off Oman coast sinks deeper
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Sanctioned tanker leaking oil off Oman coast sinks deeper
A tanker carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil is increasingly submerged and leaking off Oman's coast, satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show. The Caroline Bezengi has been grounded…
The Story in Brief
A tanker carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil is increasingly submerged and leaking off Oman's coast, satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show. The Caroline Bezengi has been grounded for two months near Qibliyah Island, and the oil spill expanded from 45 sq km on July 26 to about 600 sq km by August 4, as per Greenpeace Germany. The sheen now covers nearly 800 sq km and has reached the island's shores.
The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and is sanctioned by Britain and the EU. It left a Russian port in May and is reportedly owned by Shanghai-based interests. Oman said it is responding but has not confirmed any salvage or containment efforts. Greenpeace warned of an unprecedented oil disaster risk to marine life and the protected Arabian Sea reserve.
The Indian Opinion
The story invites a familiar narrative blaming Russia's shadow fleet for environmental recklessness, but the bigger test is whether Omani authorities can act fast in peak monsoon season. Numbers will settle the question: how fast does the spill spread in the next week, and does Oman request international help? Until then, finger-pointing is armchair outrage without a salvage plan.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
