UAE closes all beaches in Umm Al Quwain after tanker oil spill detected

Abu Dhabi (TIP): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain after detecting an oil spill from a tanker that has caused marine pollution, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain after detecting an oil spill from a tanker that has caused marine pollution, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said.
The Ministry also confirmed that oil-spill-related odours had been noticed in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, while assuring residents that the odours posed no health risks.
“Immediately after the pollution was detected, in coordination with the relevant local and federal authorities, [the Ministry] began implementing measures to contain the pollution and cordon off the affected areas,” the Ministry said.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have temporarily shut all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain. The closures will remain in effect until technical teams complete their assessments and identify the necessary measures to ensure public safety and protect the marine environment. The Ministry said cleanup and remediation work was underway to limit environmental damage. Coastal surveys, monitoring operations and technical assessments are continuing across Umm Al Quwain to determine the extent of the pollution and assess its impact on the marine ecosystem.