UAE closes Umm Al Quwain beaches after tanker oil spill
The UAE has closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain after a tanker oil spill was detected offshore, with containment and cleanup operations under way.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has confirmed a tanker oil spill affecting beaches in Umm Al Quwain, temporarily closing all of the emirate’s beaches and coastal areas until technical assessments are complete. Reuters
The ministry said containment operations had been launched, with specialised teams cordoning off affected areas and beginning clean-up and remediation work to limit the environmental impact. Fishermen and other sea users were urged to avoid affected areas and follow official instructions. Aletihad Arabian Business
Sharjah’s Al Hamriyah Beach, near the border with Umm Al Quwain, was also temporarily closed as a precaution, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau said. Arab News
Odours reported by residents in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain pose no health risks, the ministry said. Reuters Arabian Business
Maritime analysts linked the spill to the Gem No.2 tanker. Martin Kelly of Orbital Risk Intelligence told Reuters the spill appeared to be coming from the vessel, while Conflict and Environment Observatory researcher Leon Moreland said satellite imagery from 19 and 21 October showed a slick of about 160 square kilometres close to shore. Arab News
The Gem No.2 was struck by an unidentified projectile about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera on 9 October, sparking a fire that was later extinguished; the UAE National Guard said it rescued all 22 crew members, and no group has claimed responsibility. Arab News Arab News Pakistan The incident comes amid heightened concern over shipping security in Gulf waters since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, with a tanker also struck off Qatar earlier in October. Arab News Al Arabiya
Sources: Reuters; Al Arabiya; Arab News; Aletihad; Arabian Business — all 23 October 2026.
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