Oil Spreading From Damaged Tanker as Satellite Images Show Huge Spill Triggered Beach Closures Across UAE
Oil spreads from damaged tanker
Images from the EU’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites showed a large spill coming from the vessel. Authorities have not named the tanker or given a cause for the spill.
Coastal areas face restrictions
Authorities in several northern emirates have restricted access to coastal areas as the spill spreads. On Saturday, Ras Al Khaimah announced that all beaches in the emirate would close until further notice. Nidal Hilal, an engineering professor and director of New York University Abu Dhabi’s Water Research Center, called the incident a “serious environmental concern.” He said temporary closures were a prudent measure while officials assess the spill’s extent and the oil’s movement.
Gulf waters and shipping risks
More than 500 species live in Gulf waters, including dolphins and marine turtles. The spill comes amid heightened security risks for commercial vessels in Gulf shipping lanes since the start of the war on Iran.
On 15 October, a vessel carrying more than 2,500 containers caught fire and sank after hitting a naval mine. Sources told Reuters that the GFS Pride, a small container vessel with capacity for 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units, sank while sailing through the strait.
Key points
- Satellite images show a large oil spill coming from a damaged tanker off the UAE coast.
- Ras Al Khaimah closed all beaches until further notice.
- Authorities have not identified the tanker or said what caused the spill.
- A marine expert cited risks to Gulf waters, home to more than 500 species.