Oil slick stretches 22 miles along UAE coast after tanker hit

Oil from a struck tanker is now washing up on beaches in the United Arab Emirates, forcing local authorities to close coastal areas. Satellite images confirm the slick extends more than 35 kilometers, or 22 miles, from the vessel. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated it immediately began containment efforts to limit environmental damage.

The spill originated from the Gem No.2, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. The ship was hit by an unknown projectile on October 9 just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra. A fire broke out on the deck but was extinguished. Iranian state media described the ship as taking an unauthorized and dangerous route through the Strait of Hormuz. All 22 Indian crew members were rescued by the Indian consulate in Dubai on October 11.

A smaller leak was visible in satellite data on October 19. Over the next two days, the spill expanded rapidly. By Wednesday, the oil covered a large stretch of the water. The UAE reported on Thursday that beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain were affected. Verified video from Friday shows the water turning black as the oil reaches the shore.

Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, said the impact on marine life was inevitable. He noted that oil spills can kill animals by trapping turtles, smothering seabirds, or damaging fish gills. He also warned that long-term exposure to toxic compounds could affect the ability of species to reproduce. Researchers say it is too early to judge the full severity of the damage.

The oil slick moves toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. These islands form a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area. The habitats include corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. The area is home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, called the proximity of the spill to this zone the most concerning environmental angle.

Security experts say the strikes on ships form part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway. This follows US military escorts for more commercial vessels through the strait. Both Iranian and US forces have attacked commercial ships amid the conflict. This is not the first major spill in the region. Another large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island in August, threatening local wildlife and fishing communities.