Oil from Struck Tanker Coats UAE Shores, Closing Beaches

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have closed beaches and coastal zones near Umm Al Quwain after oil from a damaged tanker washed ashore. The closures were announced on Thursday after verified video from Friday showed black oil covering the shoreline and darkening the water. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that containment operations began immediately to limit environmental damage.

Satellite imagery captured the rapid expansion of the spill. On Monday, images showed the initial leak from a vessel matching the profile of the crude oil tanker Gem No. 2. By Wednesday, the slick had stretched more than 35km, or 22 miles, from the ship. While a smaller leak was visible on October 19, radar data reviewed by BBC Verify and the intelligence firm MAIAR indicated the spill grew significantly over the next two days.

The Gem No. 2, a Panama-flagged vessel, was hit by an unknown projectile on October 9. The strike occurred just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra and started a fire that was later extinguished. Footage posted on October 10 showed crew members donning lifejackets under thick black smoke. Iranian state media reported the ship was using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on October 11 that all 22 Indian crew members were rescued.

The slick now extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. This region is a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area containing corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. It serves as habitat for green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, identified the proximity of the oil to this specific zone as the most concerning aspect of the spill.

Experts caution that the long-term severity of the damage remains unclear. The final impact will depend on the volume and type of oil released, its evaporation rate, and the effectiveness of the cleanup. Professor Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, noted that some environmental impact was inevitable. He explained that spills can kill marine life quickly by trapping turtles, smothering seabirds, or damaging fish gills. Continued exposure to toxic compounds in the oil can also hinder species reproduction over time.

The Gem No. 2 was among a record number of ships attacked in and around the strait in early October. Security experts described the strikes as part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway. This move followed the US military escorting more vessels through the area. Commercial ships have faced attacks from both Iranian and US forces during the ongoing conflict.

This incident follows a previous major spill in the region. In August, a large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island. Experts at the time warned that the spill threatened local wildlife, protected ecosystems, and fishing communities.