UAE Beaches Closed After Oil Tanker Attack Sparks Major Spill Near Strait of Hormuz
An oil spill from a tanker, believed to have been hit by a missile, has forced the closure of beaches and prompted environmental assessments along the UAE coastline.
Beaches in the United Arab Emirates have been temporarily closed due to a significant oil spill originating from a tanker that authorities believe was attacked. The spill is spreading along the coastline, affecting popular tourist areas.
Authorities have closed beaches around Umm Al Quwain, a northern emirate situated near the Strait of Hormuz, as a precautionary measure. Safety and marine protection checks are underway. Residents in Umm Al Quwain and northern parts of Dubai have reported an unusual oil-like odor, and images circulating on social media depict the sea blackened by the spill.
The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that containment operations have been initiated and an environmental assessment is in progress. The ministry assured the public that any detected odors pose no health risks. It also advised fishermen and other maritime users to avoid the affected areas and adhere to official guidance.
Sharjah's Al Hamriyah Beach, located near the border with Umm Al Quwain, was also temporarily closed by authorities as a precaution.
Satellite imagery analyzed by the BBC indicated that the oil slick had spread more than 22 miles from the tanker by Wednesday. While the leak was initially observed on October 19, it rapidly expanded over two days.
The UAE authorities have not officially identified the tanker involved or specified the cause of the spill, though shipping sources reported on October 9 that the tanker, identified as the Panama-flagged Gem No 2, 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 analysts suggested that while no group has claimed responsibility, the incident occurred outside the Strait of Hormuz and signals an escalation of risks for commercial shipping. This incident follows a similar event earlier in the week where another tanker was struck off the coast of Qatar.
Maritime intelligence firm Windward first identified the spill on Tuesday, reporting that a very large crude carrier (VLCC) was leaking oil approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) off Umm Al Quwain. The firm's drift model predicted the slick could reach desalination intakes and ports in Sharjah and Ajman by October 22-23 if the leak was not halted. The UAE heavily relies on desalination plants for its water supply, making coastal contamination a significant concern.
Oil spills can release toxic chemicals that harm wildlife, contaminate water systems, and cause severe health issues. The economic impact on coastal communities, including potential losses from ruined seafood stocks and boating bans, can also be substantial.
Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, noted that satellite imagery from October 19 and 21 appears to show a significant oil slick covering approximately 160 square kilometers emanating from the Gem No 2. He emphasized that a slick this close to shore heightens the risk to beaches and sensitive ecological habitats.
This incident follows another maritime environmental event in August, when oil from a grounded tanker off Oman reached the mainland coast.