London, Aug. 12 (SANA)An oil spill from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi off Oman is rapidly becoming one of the world’s worst in years, international agencies and environmental groups warned Wednesday.

Reuters reported that the slick, which has begun reaching Oman’s mainland, now covers more than 2,000 square kilometres, according to satellite imagery reviewed by oil spill specialist John Amos.

The Caroline Bezengi, carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian crude, ran aground on June 30 near an Omani island within a marine nature reserve. The vessel is under international sanctions and is not covered by a recognised Western insurer.

The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) said contingency plans were in place, but monsoon winds had hampered access to the tanker and delayed response operations.

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds said it would not cover clean-up costs because the incident was being treated as an “act of war.”F.J.