Oman’s Environment Authority reported on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, that crude oil leaking from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached beaches on the mainland of Oman, north of Qabiliyah Island. The spill, which began after an explosion aboard the tanker in June, has been spreading rapidly, endangering a marine protected area near Qabiliyah Island.

The Caroline Bezengi, a 247-metre vessel believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil when the explosion occurred. The tanker has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for transporting Russian oil. It had departed from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Russia, in May.

Oman’s Environment Authority has been monitoring the leak and confirmed that contamination has reached the beaches of Ras Madrakah on the mainland, approximately 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island. Authorities have also warned that the southern coasts of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometers north of the tanker’s location, may be affected in the coming hours.

Environmental experts have expressed concern over the rapid spread of the oil spill and its threat to marine habitats and protected areas. No party has claimed responsibility for the explosion, and the cause remains unknown.

Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has been acting as a mediator in the ongoing war in Iran, which was initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026.

Sources