UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah shuts all beaches as neighbours grapple with oil leak

Ras Al Khaimah closed all its beaches on Saturday following an offshore oil leak, echoing the measures taken in neighboring Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah the previous day. The Public Services Department released a statement outlining the closures, but no official reason was provided. Simultaneously, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced ongoing efforts to contain the oil spill from a tanker in the offshore region, with an environmental assessment underway.

The ministry stressed that all beach and coastal areas near Umm Al Quwain would remain closed until safety and marine protection protocols were established and confirmed. Authorities in Sharjah also advised the public to avoid Al Hamriyah Beach as a precautionary measure. Since the recent escalation of hostilities between the United States and Israel against Iran, maritime security concerns have surged, fueled by the heightened risk of environmental damage from attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf shipping lanes.

Ras Al Khaimah, renowned for its picturesque beaches and upcoming luxury casino resort developed by Wynn Resorts, is situated in the northern part of the UAE. The Las Vegas-based company had begun construction on Al Marjan Island in February, with an anticipated opening in the first quarter of 2027. Wynn Resorts resumed work on the project despite the ongoing Iran war, which continues to impact businesses across the Middle East.

Local residents in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain reported unusual odors in recent days, though the UAE’s Ministry of Environment assured that there posed no immediate health hazards. However, the acrid smell remained pervasive in Umm Al Quwain as of Friday. The identity of the tanker responsible for the spill remains undisclosed, along with the exact cause of the mishap.