Satellite images show sanctioned tanker sinking deeper off Oman coast, oil spill widening

Satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show that a sanctioned tanker carrying nearly a million barrels of oil appears to be increasingly submerged in water off the coast of Oman, where it has been grounded for weeks, while leaking ever more oil into the surrounding sea.

Crude oil has been leaking and spreading quickly in recent days from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, reaching the shores of Qibliyah Island off Oman's south-west coast. By August 7, the spill was covering nearly 800 square km (309 square miles), according to Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert for PAX, a Dutch organisation that tracks the environment in conflicts.

Greenpeace Germany has also said the spill is drastically increasing, indicating deterioration of the vessel's condition. Satellite imagery analysis suggested the oil spill covered 45 square km (17 square miles) up until July 26, expanding to around 150 square km (58 square miles) by August 2, and imagery from August 4 indicated it had extended across roughly 600 square km (232 square miles), said Nina Noelle, an environmental disaster expert at Greenpeace Germany.

Spill affects protected area home to endangered wildlife

The affected area is part of the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected area home to wildlife including endangered petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.

The 247-metre (899-foot) Caroline Bezengi has been grounded off Qibliyah Island in south-west Oman for two months. The tanker's crew reported an explosion on board on June 8, according to media reports.

It is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet" and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying Russian oil. It had left the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in Russia in May, according to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime. The vessel's owners are believed to be Shanghai-based, according to Greenpeace and other reports.

Satellite images dated August 5 show an oil sheen trailing north-east of the tanker, aground off the rocky coastline, and surrounding the island. In the images, the vessel appears to be partly submerged, noticeably more so than in a photo taken on July 31. July and August are peak monsoon season in the area.

Unclear if rescue or salvage efforts are under way

On Thursday, the government of Oman said it was responding to the incident. It was not immediately clear if authorities had reached the tanker, or whether there were efforts to salvage it or stop the leaking crude oil.

A statement published by the Oman News Agency said authorities were observing the area through satellite images, field surveys and technical models, and that teams were ready to implement necessary procedures to handle potential impacts on marine life and navigation safety in the area.

Greenpeace Germany warned in a statement on Wednesday of an "imminent risk of an unprecedented oil disaster from a broken tanker with devastating consequences for the region's coastlines and marine ecosystems." It urged all concerned bodies to act immediately to assess options to contain the spill, calling on Oman to request international assistance if needed.