What happened

The Cameroon-flagged (a flag it lost in a June deregistration crackdown on sanctioned tankers) Suezmax tanker Caroline Bezengi, sanctioned by the EU, UK, US (OFAC), Canada and Switzerland over alleged links to Russian oil exports and past association with state shipowner Sovcomflot, sailed from Novorossiysk, Russia in April, transited the Suez Canal in May, and first reported difficulties around 8 June while off Yemen/Oman's Dhofar coast, with maritime sources suggesting an onboard blast; the cause remains unresolved and no group has claimed responsibility. The crew was evacuated without injury, and the unmanned, 25-year-old tanker grounded on rocks at Jazirat Al Qibliyyah in the Hallaniyat Islands — a marine nature reserve — on 30 June. An Omani onboard survey on 12 July found the vessel sinking deeper and listing further, with crude leaking into ballast tanks and the double-hull spacing. Oman's Ministry of Transport issued a 24-hour removal directive to Shanghai-based manager Rentoor Ship Management on 23 July, but the company did not respond; the vessel is uninsured by any recognized Western provider, and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) declined to become involved, treating the incident as an act of war outside its compensation regime. By 12 August, satellite analyst John Amos told Reuters the slick had grown to roughly 2,000 sq km, warning of 'a nightmare scenario' if no adequate response materializes, versus Oman's official estimate of about 400 sq km and Greenpeace Germany's tracked estimate of roughly 600 sq km in early August; the wide range reflects differing measurement methods and dates rather than a single agreed figure. Oman said it continued monitoring via satellite imagery, field surveys and technical models through 12 August. On 13-14 August, UK-based maritime risk firm Ambrey announced it had been engaged to lead salvage operations, with specialist personnel boarding the vessel (assisted by the Omani air force) to assess its condition and begin stabilising the cargo and additional salvage vessels expected; Ambrey's response director described the effort as complicated by adverse weather from the Khareef monsoon and gave no timeline or cost estimate. By 14 August, Oman's environmental authority confirmed oil had reached the shoreline at Ras Madrakah on the central coast, with officials warning the slick could extend a further 100km-plus north toward Masirah Island.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.