Oil Spill From Attacked Tanker RIESCO Doubles, Greenpeace Says

TDT | Manama

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A major oil spill believed to have originated from the tanker RIESCO, which was attacked by US forces on Tuesday, has reportedly doubled in size, raising concerns over the potential impact on marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Oman.

According to Greenpeace Germany’s Nina Noelle, the RIESCO was among four tankers targeted in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday. Another vessel was reportedly destroyed in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran’s Kharg Island.

The visible oil slick covered approximately 400 square kilometres (154 square miles) by Thursday, Noelle said. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press showed the pollution stretching for nearly 70 kilometres (43 miles) across the sea.

The spill is located between two environmentally sensitive areas. On the Omani side lies the Musandam protected area, which includes an important seabird breeding island. Across the water in Iran is the Hara-e Roud-e Gaz Protected Area, home to valuable mangrove ecosystems.

Greenpeace warned that the ongoing regional conflict could make an effective response to the spill increasingly difficult, raising fears of further environmental damage if the pollution continues to spread.