The UAE ministry of climate change and environment has confirmed an oil spill from a tanker affecting beaches in Umm Al Quwain.
The ministry confirmed that the odours reported in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain were associated with the spill, but reassured residents that they posed no health risks.
However, the full extent of the slick and the quantity of oil released have not yet been established publicly.
The ministry has not officially named the vessel involved in its statement.
The authority said teams began implementing measures to contain the pollution and cordon off the affected areas.
Clean-up and remediation work are also underway to limit the environmental impacts. Surveys, monitoring and environmental assessments are continuing across Umm Al Quwain’s coastal areas as a precautionary measure to determine the extent of the impact and safeguard the marine environment.
Authorities have temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain as a precaution. The closure will remain in place until technical teams have completed their assessments and identified the necessary measures to ensure safety and protection of the marine environment.
The UAE ministry of climate change and environment has not announced a reopening date.
Fishermen and other sea users have been urged to follow official instructions and avoid fishing in affected areas while response operations continue.
The ministry has also called on the public to rely on official information and avoid spreading rumours.
Maritime AI™ company Windward first identified the spill on Monday, October 19, writing in a post on X that a VLCC-sized tanker was leaking oil 25 km off Umm Al Quwain.
“Currents are setting it southwest toward the coast,” it said at the time.
“Windward’s drift model shows it reaching Sharjah’s and Ajman’s desalination intakes and ports by 22-23 Oct if the leak isn’t stopped,” it wrote on X, on October 20.
