New Delhi. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a major oil spill in the sea off the coast of Oman has increased concerns about the environment. Millions of barrels of crude oil has spilled into the sea from a stranded oil tanker. According to satellite images, oil spill By August 14, it would increase to about 2,000 square kilometers. Reached. Experts fear that if the leak spreads further, it could cause serious damage to marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Oil spread increased from 800 to 2,000 square kilometers
Initial satellite images show oil spilling out of tanker 800 square kilometers Was seen spread in the sea area. But within a few days its area increased to about 2,000 square kilometers. The leakage is now also moving towards the coast of Oman.
It is being told that the marine area where oil has spread is very important in terms of biodiversity. Oil spilling into the sea poses a threat to fish, sea birds, whales and other creatures.
Fear of impact on Ras Madraka and Masirah islands
impact of oil spill About 40 km coastal area near Ras Madraka And it is feared to reach Masirah Island. The area is part of Oman's Marine Nature Reserve and is home to many important marine species.
to this area Arabian Sea Humpback Whale And socotra cormorant Like it is considered important for wildlife. In such a situation, a thick layer of crude oil can become a serious threat to marine life.
There were 8-10 lakh barrels of crude on the Russian tanker
Name of the ship from which the oil spill occurred caroline bejengi It has been told. This is a tanker carrying Russian oil and it has about 8 to 10 lakh barrels of crude oil Was loaded. International sanctions are also in place on the ship.
According to information, tanker Was stranded near Oman coast since June 30. After this, oil started leaking from the ship near an island. According to maritime sources, the tanker had earlier reported some trouble near Yemen on June 8 and it was feared that there might have been some kind of explosion there.
The ship left Russia in April
Caroline Bezengi in April on the Black Sea in Russia Novorossiysk port Had left from. This area is also considered sensitive in terms of Russia-Ukraine war. After this, the ship passed through the Suez Canal and reached the sea area around Yemen in late May.
Ukraine alleged to be the first to carry Russian oil 'Shadow Fleet' It has been targeting US ships and Caroline Bezengi is also said to be part of a similar fleet. During the ship's journey it passed through two different conflict zones.
However, no party has claimed responsibility for the alleged incident with the ship near Yemen.
War and sanctions made relief work difficult
The process of cleaning up oil spills and compensating for the damage is also not easy. War, sanctions and complex maritime transport regulations are hampering relief and clean-up efforts, according to insurance companies and analysts.
Inter-governmental organization related to compensation for losses caused by oil spills IOPC funds reported that it would not cover the costs of cleanup of the incident. According to the organization, this case should not be treated as a normal maritime accident. 'action of war' Being seen as.
Danger of being involved in major oil spill incidents in the world
The oil spill spreading off the coast of Oman is no longer just a local environmental crisis. Within a few days, the spread of oil has increased from 800 to about 2,000 square kilometers. If it is not controlled, it can affect large marine and coastal areas.
The biggest concern is that oil is spilling into an area that is the natural habitat of many rare marine species. This is the reason why this incident is feared to be among the world's major oil spill disasters. At present, the biggest challenge remains to stop the leakage and limit its potential environmental damage.