UAE Beaches Contaminated by Oil Spill Following Tanker Strike
Satellite imagery and local reports confirm an oil slick originating from a damaged tanker is spreading along the United Arab Emirates coastline, impacting beaches and threatening marine ecosystems.
An oil spill originating from a tanker struck near the Strait of Hormuz is spreading along the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coastline, leading to the closure of some beaches and coastal areas. Satellite images captured on Monday show the beginnings of the spill from a ship that matches the location and dimensions of the Gem No.2, which sustained damage between October 9 and 10 during a significant increase in vessel strikes attributed to Iran.
By Wednesday, the oil slick had extended over 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the tanker, according to satellite imagery. UAE authorities announced on Thursday that the incident is affecting beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain. Verified video from Friday depicted the oil washing ashore, turning the water black.
The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated on Thursday that containment efforts were initiated immediately to mitigate environmental impacts. Professor Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, told BBC Verify that some impact was inevitable, though researchers caution that the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Initially, a smaller oil leak was observed from the ship on October 19. However, radar satellite imagery analyzed by BBC Verify and intelligence firm MAIAR indicates the slick rapidly expanded over the subsequent two days.
Tanker Hit 14 Days Ago
BBC Verify's analysis suggests the dimensions and location of the damaged vessel align with the crude oil tanker Gem No.2. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard reported on October 9 that the Panama-flagged tanker was struck by an unknown projectile north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, resulting in a fire that was later extinguished. Footage shared on social media on October 10 showed crew members donning lifejackets as black smoke rose from the ship.
Iranian state media released footage of a ship resembling Gem No.2, apparently showing it on fire with oil leaking into the sea. The ship was reportedly attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz via an "unauthorized and dangerous route." All 22 Indian crew members were rescued on October 11, according to the Indian consulate in Dubai.
This incident follows a series of attacks on ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz in early October, which security experts suggest are part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the vital shipping lane. Tankers and commercial vessels have been targeted by both Iranian and US forces amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. In August, another significant oil slick washed ashore on Iran's Qeshm Island, raising concerns about wildlife, ecosystems, and fishing communities.
Oil spills can cause immediate harm to marine life, affecting seabirds, turtles, and fish. Longer-term damage can occur if toxic compounds from the oil impact species' reproductive abilities. Researchers emphasize that the full environmental impact depends on various factors, including the volume and type of oil, its evaporation rate, and the cleanup operation's effectiveness.
The spill is extending towards Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, identified as a Key Biodiversity Area with habitats such as corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes, which support species like green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. The proximity to this area is considered the most concerning environmental aspect of the spill, according to Eoghan Darbyshire of the Conflict and Environment Observatory.
