Oil Spill Closes Beaches in Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah

An oil spill from a tanker has reached beaches in Umm Al Quwain, prompting authorities to close all beaches and coastal areas there and Al Hamriya Beach in Sharjah. Satellite imagery showed the slick spreading more than 35 kilometres from the damaged vessel, as local and federal teams contain and clean up the spill and assess environmental impacts. Fishermen have stopped working in affected waters, and people have been advised to avoid oil that washes ashore and follow official instructions. The UAE says unusual oil-like odours reported across northern emirates are linked to the spill but pose no health risk. Reports identify the vessel as the GEM No. 2, damaged in an attack near the Strait of Hormuz earlier in October; authorities have not announced when the closed areas will reopen.