Oil spills off Oman, Iran's Qeshm Island reap environmental havoc amid war
One oil leak off the coast of Oman is estimated to cover more than 772 square miles, devastating local habitats.
A massive oil leak from a tanker grounded off the coast of Oman has reached the Gulf country’s beaches, Oman’s Environment Authority announced Wednesday, while Iranian authorities said they are battling a crude spill near Qeshm Island.
What happened: Crude oil has been leaking from the Caroline Bezengi, a sanctioned tanker believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet and carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of oil when it reported an explosion on June 8 off the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla.
The vessel ran aground on Omani territory on June 30, leaking near Qibliyah Island, part of a marine nature reserve that is home to Arabian Sea humpback whales, Socotra cormorants and other wildlife.
The cause of the explosion has not been revealed, and no one has claimed responsibility for it.
