Beaches in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Sharjah closed due to oil spill; authorities act to contain pollution and assess environmental impact.
Beaches in the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Sharjah have been closed following the arrival of oil that leaked from a tanker into the sea off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Authorities have announced that intervention efforts have commenced to prevent the spread of the oil pollution, and investigations are underway to assess the environmental impacts.
According to a report by Reuters dated October 24, 2026, officials from the Ras Al Khaimah Emirate stated that all beaches in the region have been closed until further notice following the oil spill that occurred in open waters.
This decision came after measures were taken in neighboring Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah emirates due to oil pollution.
On October 23, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced that an oil leak originating from a tanker off the coast of Umm Al Quwain had been detected.
The ministry stated that intervention efforts have been initiated to prevent the spread of oil on the sea surface and that environmental assessments are ongoing.
All beaches and coastal areas surrounding the city of Umm Al Quwain have been temporarily closed until technical teams complete their inspections.
In Sharjah Emirate, it was also announced that Al Hamriyah Beach, located near the Umm Al Quwain border, has been closed as a precautionary measure.
On October 24, the decision by the Ras Al Khaimah administration expanded the areas where beaches were closed.
Experts examining satellite images have determined that the oil spill has spread over a wide area on the sea surface.
According to an assessment by Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, the oil slick covered an area of approximately 160 square kilometers.
The proximity of the pollution observed in satellite images on October 19 and 21 to the shore has increased the risk of oil reaching beaches and environmentally sensitive marine areas.
The maritime intelligence company Windward also reported that an oil spill was detected off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, approximately 25 kilometers from the shore.
In the company's current flow modeling, it was assessed that the oil could be transported towards the ports along the Sharjah and Ajman coasts and to the intake points of seawater treatment facilities.
UAE authorities have not officially disclosed the identity of the tanker responsible for the oil spill.
However, Martin Kelly, CEO of the maritime risk analysis company Orbital Risk Intelligence, indicated in a statement to Reuters that the pollution originated from the tanker named GEM NO. 2.
This tanker was reported to have been damaged on October 9, approximately 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera, due to an unidentified ammunition strike.
Following the attack, a fire broke out on the vessel, which was later extinguished.
While the oil spill is assessed to be related to this incident, UAE authorities have not provided official confirmation regarding the identity of the tanker or the exact cause of the spill.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has urged fishermen and other marine users in the affected areas to comply with the authorities' instructions.
Some citizens living in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain reported a strong smell of oil in coastal areas.
The ministry stated that these odors do not pose a health risk to local residents.
Among the areas that could be affected by the oil spill are coastal port facilities, industrial establishments, and treatment plants that convert seawater into drinking water.
Since a significant portion of the UAE's drinking water needs is met through the treatment of seawater, oil pollution in coastal waters is also significant for these facilities.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to limit the spread of the oil and assess its environmental impacts.
No official announcement has yet been made regarding when the beaches will reopen or the total amount of oil that has leaked into the sea.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
