The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has confirmed that an oil spill from a tanker is affecting beaches in Umm Al Quwain, and has temporarily closed all of the emirate’s beaches and coastal areas.
“Teams immediately began containment, cordoning, clean-up and remediation with local and federal authorities to limit environmental impacts,” the ministry said in a statement. It urged fishermen and sea users to follow official instructions and avoid fishing in affected areas.
The closures will stay in place until technical teams complete assessments, the ministry said. It said odors reported in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain pose no health risk, but advised the public to stay away from any oil that washes ashore.
Sharjah authorities closed Al Hamriya Beach on Friday afternoon as a precaution, The National reported.
The ministry did not name the vessel. Satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify showed a slick from a ship matching the location and dimensions of the crude tanker Gem No.2, which was struck on October 9 near Al Jazeera Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah. The slick had spread more than 35 kilometers from the tanker by Wednesday, the BBC reported.
All 22 Indian crew members of the Panama-flagged vessel were rescued after the attack, the Indian consulate in Dubai said on October 11.
The spill extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a recognized Key Biodiversity Area, according to the BBC.
Brent crude futures rose 1.5% to $114.99 a barrel by 1300 GMT on Friday, Reuters reported, as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE spill added to concern over Middle East energy supplies.
