UAE closes more beaches as oil spill in Gulf raises environmental concerns

The United Arab Emirates has extended beach closures in several northern emirates following the oil spill in the Persian Gulf. Officials have warned that the leak could damage the environment and pose a health risk.

Sharjah authorities have sealed Al Hamriya beach as a safety step to prevent any contamination. Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah announced that all its beaches would remain closed until further notice.

The new restrictions were imposed on Friday after an oil slick was spotted off the coast of Umm Alquain, just north of Dubai.

Following the discovery, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment first ordered a temporary halt to all beach and coastal activities in Umm Alquain.

Officials have not released the name of the tanker involved in the spill.

According to the ministry, the strange smell reported in Umm Alqwain, Sharjah and Ajman does not pose a threat to the health of local residents.

Special response teams have been dispatched to Sharjah to take protective measures and prevent pollutants from reaching the emirate's coastlines.

The incident adds to a series of recent marine pollution incidents in the Bay Area.

In August, a tanker crashed off the southeast coast of Oman, creating an oil slick that spread over an area about six and a half times the size of Manhattan.

Iran later suffered an oil spill near Qeshm Island, close to a breeding site for endangered hawksbill sea turtles.

The ongoing regional conflict has raised concerns about marine pollution, especially around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier this month, a cargo ship sank in the strait after it caught fire following an attack, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Other commercial ships have also been hit by projectiles, increasing the potential for fuel leakage and environmental damage even if their main oil tanks remained intact.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major shipping lane for global energy supplies, making maritime security and environmental protection even more important amid continued regional tensions.

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