Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off Oman has reached beaches in the country’s southeastern Ras Madrakah area, with authorities warning that contamination could eventually affect around 40 kilometres (25 miles) of coastline.
Oman’s Environment Authority said on Wednesday that oil from the grounded vessel near Al-Qibliya Island had already affected some beaches in Ras Madrakah.
Authorities warned that the spill could spread further, potentially reaching the southern beaches of Masirah Island in the coming hours and contaminating a stretch of between 10 and 20 kilometres.
Specialised response teams have been deployed to contain the oil and limit environmental damage, according to the authority.
Officials urged fishermen, beachgoers and other members of the public to avoid contact with visible oil or other pollutants and immediately report any contamination they encounter.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also confirmed on Wednesday that oil leaking from the vessel had begun reaching the Omani mainland.
The crude oil tanker Caroline Bezengi ran aground off Oman on June 30. According to the UN shipping agency, the vessel was carrying approximately 130,000 tonnes of oil at the time.
Authorities are continuing containment operations amid concerns that changing sea conditions could spread the pollution to additional areas along Oman’s coastline.