UAE Closes Northern Beaches After Tanker Oil Reaches Shore
A 35km slick from the Gem No.2 tanker has blackened water near Umm Al Quwain, prompting containment efforts and raising concerns for local marine life.
By Tunde Bailey ·
Residents near Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates have been told to stay away from the water. Authorities closed beaches and coastal areas on Thursday after oil from a struck tanker reached the shore. Verified video from Friday shows the black substance turning the water dark as it washes ashore.
The spill originated from the Gem No.2, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. The ship was hit by an unknown projectile on 9 October, just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra. A fire broke out and was later extinguished, but a leak began to spread. Satellite images show the slick expanding rapidly. A small leak was visible on 19 October, but by Wednesday, the oil stretched more than 35 kilometers from the vessel.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that it immediately began containment efforts to limit environmental impacts. Security experts note that the attack was part of a wider pattern of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces and the US have both targeted commercial ships in the region recently, with Iran seeking to assert control over the waterway.
Scientists are monitoring the situation closely but warn that it is too early to judge the full extent of the damage. The severity will depend on the volume of oil spilled and the effectiveness of the clean-up. Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, told BBC Verify that an impact is inevitable. He explained that oil can kill marine life quickly by trapping turtles or smothering seabirds. Long-term exposure to toxic compounds can also affect the ability of fish and other species to reproduce.
The slick is moving toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. These islands are a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area. They host corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. The area is home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, called the spill's proximity to this habitat the most concerning environmental angle of the incident.
The Gem No.2 incident follows a similar spill in August. At that time, a large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island. Experts said that event threatened local wildlife, protected ecosystems, and fishing communities. The 22 Indian crew members of the Gem No.2 were all rescued by the Indian consulate in Dubai on 11 October.
The maritime intelligence firm Vanguard reported the vessel was struck while trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz by an unauthorized route. Iranian state media shared footage of the ship ablaze, with burning oil spilling into the sea. The attack occurred during a period when a record number of ships were reported under attack in and around the strait.
