MUSCAT, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- About 12 km of coastline in central Oman's Ras Madrakah area has been affected by oil spill from the grounded vessel Caroline Bezengi, the country's Environment Authority said Saturday.
The latest field monitoring showed the oil slick continues to head southeast toward the high seas, with the southeastern Masirah Island remaining within the zone of potential impact, the authority said.
It added that current data show "no significant traces of pollution" at other locations.
Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Quality Center said it was monitoring fishing grounds and processing plants and collecting samples for tests to ensure the safety of fishery products in potentially affected areas.
The Caroline Bezengi has been grounded off the Al Hallaniyat Islands in Oman's southern Dhofar Governorate since June after its crew reported an explosion on board, according to media reports.
On Wednesday, the Environment Authority said the spill had reached beaches in Ras Madrakah. It added that salvage operations were underway to stabilize the vessel, safely transfer its oil cargo, and contain the source of the leak. ■
