Oil spill fears spread as Ras Al Khaimah closes all beaches in UAE

All beaches closed until further notice

Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah announced on Saturday that all beaches in the emirate would remain closed until further notice. The decision came a day after neighbouring Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah also closed some coastal areas following an offshore oil leak.

The Public Services Department announced the closures in a statement shared by Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters. However, officials did not explain the reason for closing all beaches.

UAE teams work to contain oil leak

The United Arab Emirates said on Friday that efforts were underway to control oil leaking from a tanker offshore. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment was also carrying out an environmental assessment to check the impact of the spill.

Authorities temporarily closed beaches and coastal areas around Umm Al Quwain while technical teams examined the situation. Officials said safety measures and steps to protect marine life would be decided after the assessments were completed.

Sharjah takes precautionary action

Sharjah authorities also temporarily closed Al Hamriyah Beach, located on the UAE’s northern coast near the border with Umm Al Quwain. The Sharjah Government Media Bureau said the closure was a precautionary measure.

Residents reported unusual smells in parts of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. The UAE’s environment ministry said the odours did not pose a health risk, although the strong smell continued across Umm Al Quwain on Friday.

Tanker details and security concerns remain unclear

UAE authorities have not identified the tanker involved in the oil leak or explained what caused the spill. Officials have not yet provided complete details about the extent of the environmental damage.

Attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf shipping lanes have increased concerns about maritime security since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran. The latest oil leak has also raised concerns about possible environmental damage along the UAE’s coastline.

Closing the beaches is a precaution to protect people and coastal areas while officials assess the situation. The next steps will depend on the results of environmental checks and efforts to contain the leak.

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