Beaches Closed in UAE After Oil Tanker Hit Near Strait of Hormuz

Beaches have been closed along the coast of the United Arab Emirates due to an oil spill originating from a tanker that was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. The spill has affected beaches around Umm Al Quwain, a northern emirate, and authorities have temporarily shut them down pending safety and marine protection checks.

Residents in Umm Al Quwain and northern parts of Dubai have reported an unusual, oil-like smell, with some social media images depicting the sea blackened. The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that containment operations have begun and an environmental assessment is underway. The ministry stated that any detected odors pose no health risks and urged fishermen and other sea users to avoid affected areas.

Sharjah's Government Media Bureau announced that Al Hamriyah Beach, near the border with Umm Al Quwain, was temporarily closed as a precaution.

Satellite images analyzed on Wednesday showed the oil slick had spread more than 22 miles from the tanker. While the leak was initially observed on October 19, it rapidly expanded over two days, according to BBC analysis of satellite data. The UAE authorities have not identified the tanker involved or the specific cause of the spill.

Orbital Risk Intelligence identified the tanker as the Gem No2. Researchers noted that satellite imagery from October 19 and 21 indicated a significant oil slick originating from the vessel, covering approximately 160 square kilometers. The proximity of the slick to the shore raises concerns about potential impacts on beaches and sensitive marine habitats.

Shipping sources reported on October 9 that the Gem No2 was struck by an unidentified projectile 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera in the UAE, resulting in a fire that was subsequently extinguished. Maritime security sources at the time suggested the incident, which occurred outside the Strait of Hormuz, indicated a widening of risks for commercial shipping. This followed a separate tanker incident off the coast of Qatar earlier the same week.

Maritime intelligence firm Windward first identified the spill on Tuesday, noting a large vessel leaking oil approximately 25 kilometers off Umm Al Quwain. Windward's drift models predicted the slick could reach desalination intakes and ports in Sharjah and Ajman by October 22–23 if the leak was not contained. The UAE heavily relies on desalination plants for its drinking water, and its coastal areas host crucial ports and industrial facilities, making shoreline contamination a significant concern.

This incident follows a previous oil spill in August, when oil from a tanker that ran aground off Oman reached the mainland coast.