UAE Closes Shores After Tanker Spill

Beaches near Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates are closed as oil from a damaged tanker reaches the shore. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed on Thursday that coastal areas in the northern city are affected. Verified video from Friday shows black oil washing onto the sand and darkening the water. The ministry stated that it began containment operations immediately to limit environmental impacts.

Satellite data indicates the spill has expanded rapidly over the past week. Images from Monday showed the initial leak from a vessel matching the dimensions and location of the crude oil tanker Gem No. 2. By Wednesday, the slick stretched more than 35 kilometers, or 22 miles, from the ship. A smaller leak was visible on 19 October, but radar imagery reviewed by MAIAR shows the volume of oil grew significantly in the following two days.

The Gem No. 2 was hit by an unknown projectile on 9 October. The strike occurred just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, starting a fire that was later extinguished. The Panama-flagged vessel was attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz via a route described as unauthorized and dangerous by Iranian state media. Footage from 10 October shows crew members putting on life jackets on the deck amid thick black smoke.

The Indian consulate in Dubai reported on 11 October that all 22 Indian crew members were rescued. Vanguard, a maritime intelligence firm, reported that the ship was struck by an unknown projectile. Security experts told BBC Verify that the attack was part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway. This follows US military escorts for commercial vessels through the strait, a move that has increased tension between the two countries.

The oil slick is moving toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. This area is a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area. It contains corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. It is also home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, called the proximity of the spill to this zone the most concerning environmental angle.

Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, said an environmental impact is inevitable. He noted that spills can kill marine life quickly by trapping turtles or smothering seabirds. He also warned of longer-term harm from toxic compounds that may affect species' ability to reproduce. Researchers say it is too early to determine the severity of the damage. Factors include the volume of oil, its type, evaporation rates, and the effectiveness of the cleanup.

This incident follows another major spill in the region. In August, a large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island. Experts said that event threatened wildlife and fishing communities. The current spill adds to the pressure on the ecosystem as the conflict continues to affect shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Authorities are monitoring the spread of the oil. The containment operations in Umm Al Quwain aim to prevent the slick from moving further inland. The status of other coastal areas remains under review as the oil continues to drift.