Satellite imagery analyzed by a Japanese company indicates that a likely oil spill spotted off Iran's Kharg Island may still be ongoing, though it appears to be shrinking. The island, located deep inside the Persian Gulf, hosts one of the world's largest oil export hubs. It handles ninety percent of Iran's crude oil exports. The Associated Press reported that, according to expert analysis of satellite imagery provided by the European Space Agency, the oil slick has been spreading off Kharg Island as of Friday. An estimated 80,000 barrels of oil was spilled.
Japanese data analysis firm Ridge-i analyzed satellite imagery taken from May 2 through May 12 using AI. The suspected spill appears in the images as a red formation. The analysis shows that as of last Wednesday, a massive oil spill had occurred off the western and southern coasts of the island. The slick appears to have drifted more than 30 kilometers to the south by Monday.
Satellite images taken on Monday and Tuesday also show what appears to be a fresh slick off the island's eastern coast. This suggests the oil spill may possibly be ongoing, although the overall scale is shrinking. The cause of the spill, which is currently unknown, may have been either an attack or a malfunction of an oil storage facility.
With the situation in Iran remaining tense, efforts to recover the oil are expected to be difficult, raising concerns over the impact on the environment. Ridge-i executive Hatakeyama Waku said oil spills are known to cause serious harm to ecosystems in the immediate vicinity. He added his company will continue to monitor the slick, which he believes is an important mission. (Source)
