Umm Al Quwain Closes Its Beaches Following Oil Spill from Tanker off Coast

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that it detected an oil spill from a tanker affecting the beaches of Umm Al Quwain, and that all beaches and coastal areas in the emirate have been temporarily closed, according to The National newspaper. It added that technical teams are conducting an assessment of the spill to determine the necessary safety procedures.

Sharjah closed Al Hamriyah Beach as a precautionary measure, while maritime agencies attributed the spill to the 330-meter-long tanker Gem No.2, which was reportedly struck between October 9 and 10. Twenty-two Indian sailors who were on board were rescued.

The ministry said that the fuel-like odors reported by residents in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain do not pose a health risk, advising fishermen to avoid affected areas and follow official instructions.

The incident increases pressure on fishing and coastal tourism in the Northern Emirates, while stakeholders await the results of the environmental assessment to determine the duration of the closure and the extent to which nearby maritime traffic will be affected.

What do these terms mean?

Oil spill: The release of oil from a tanker or facility into the water, which threatens beaches and marine life and requires containment and cleanup measures.

Environmental assessment: An examination conducted by experts to measure the extent of pollution and its impact on the water and coastline before determining safety procedures.

Precautionary measure: A step taken in advance to prevent a hazard from worsening, such as closing a beach before confirming the safety of the water.