UAE oil spill: Ras Al Khaimah closes all beaches 'until further notice'

Ras Al Khaimah has closed all its beaches until further notice following an oil spill from a supertanker in the Arabian Gulf. This follows Umm Al Quwain's temporary closure of its beaches and coastal areas, as well as Sharjah sealing off Al Hamriya beach as a precaution. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment was informed of the incident early Friday, revealing that the spill is emitting a strong odor across the country.

The precise extent of the oil slick remains unknown, but the situation has sparked worries about the environmental consequences of the ongoing Iran war on the Gulf and Arabian Sea. Umm Al Quwain's municipality is conducting field operations to contain the spill's impact and mitigate damage to marine and coastal ecosystems. They will monitor conditions, identify affected areas, and provide support for clean-up and treatment efforts.

Specialists will also evaluate the spill's impact and recommend suitable measures. Environmental experts have emphasized the urgency of swift action to contain the spill and minimize damage to the UAE's marine ecosystems. Inesaf Benzaki, Greenpeace Mena's campaigns lead, highlighted that the Gulf's semi-enclosed geography could hinder water exchange with the open ocean, potentially causing pollutants to linger.

Timely intervention is crucial for protecting the area's marine life. Prof John Burt, director of NYU Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Arabian Centre for Climate and Environmental Sciences, previously cautioned that remediation could be costly and full recovery might take years if the oil reaches the coastline.