Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have closed all beaches in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah after an oil slick from a tanker attacked in the Strait of Hormuz reached the country’s coastline.
Video footage showed the oil slick near Al Hamra Golf Club, along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, as authorities moved to contain the spill and limit its environmental impact.
The incident has also raised concerns about potential threats to desalination plants, which are vital to the UAE’s water supply.
British sources reported on October 9 that a vessel had been struck by a projectile off the UAE coast, triggering a fire that was subsequently brought under control.
The vessel was identified as the GEM NO.2, an oil tanker sailing under the Panamanian flag.
The spill has heightened concerns over the environmental risks posed by attacks on commercial shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil transportation.
Iran has claimed control over the strait and has repeatedly targeted vessels transiting the waterway without its authorisation, adding to security concerns surrounding maritime traffic in the region.
Authorities have yet to provide further details on the extent of the oil spill or the potential impact on the UAE’s coastal environment and water infrastructure.
