Oil Spill Spreads Along UAE Beaches After Tanker Is Attacked

An oil tanker that was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz is leaking oil along the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The oil slick has spread more than 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) from the damaged ship. Beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain have been closed to protect people and wildlife. The spill is threatening a special area of ocean habitat that is home to rare and endangered species.

The ship involved is believed to be a crude oil tanker called Gem No. 2. A maritime intelligence company reported that the Panama-flagged tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on October 9, which caused a fire on board. The fire was later put out, but the ship was badly damaged. All 22 crew members, who were from India, were rescued safely, according to the Indian consulate in Dubai.

Satellite images showed oil beginning to leak from a ship that matched the size and location of Gem No. 2. By Wednesday, the oil slick had already spread more than 35 kilometers from the tanker. Video from Friday showed the thick, dark oil washing onto shore and turning the water black. The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said it immediately began containment efforts to reduce damage to the environment.

The oil spill is especially worrying because it is spreading toward two islands — Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah — that are recognized worldwide as a Key Biodiversity Area. This means the area is home to rare and important wildlife, including corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. Green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish also live there. Scientists say the spill reaching these islands would be the most serious environmental problem from this incident.

Oil spills can cause serious harm to ocean life very quickly. They can trap sea turtles, damage the gills of fish, and coat the feathers of seabirds so they can no longer fly or stay warm. Oil can also leave behind toxic chemicals that stay in the water for a long time. These chemicals can make it harder for animals to reproduce, meaning their populations could shrink over time.

Professor Steve Widdicombe, director of a marine science research center in the UAE, said it is inevitable that there will be an impact from the spill. However, researchers say it is too early to know exactly how bad the damage will be. The total harm depends on how much oil was spilled, what type it is, how fast it breaks down, and how well the cleanup goes. Scientists are watching the situation closely and gathering more data.

The attack on Gem No. 2 was one of a record number of ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz in early October. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that is very important for global shipping, especially for transporting oil. Security experts say Iran carried out these attacks to gain more control over the strait. Tankers and other ships have faced threats from both Iranian and U.S. forces in the region.

In August, another large oil slick washed up on the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island. Experts said that spill also threatened wildlife, protected ocean habitats, and the fishing communities that depend on the sea for their livelihoods. These back-to-back incidents have raised growing concern about the environmental cost of military conflict near the Strait of Hormuz.