Satellite images show huge oil spill from damaged tanker that triggered beach closures across UAE

Dark layers of oil are spreading at sea from a damaged tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, forcing more beaches to close.Satellite images from the European Union’s Copernicus show that the oil spill has widened over the last few days, reaching close to the shores of the northern Umm Al Quwain emirate.Authorities have not yet named the tanker involved in the incident or said what caused the spill. Experts believe the oil release was coming from the Gem No.2, a vessel which shipping sources said had been struck by an unidentified projectile in September.The ship was reported to have caught fire, which was later extinguished. Images provided by the EU's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites showed a large oil spill coming from the tanker.Oil spill triggers beach closuresAuthorities across various northern emirates responded to the spill by restricting access to coastal areas. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that all beaches and coastal areas around the city of Umm Al Quwain were temporarily closed, while authorities in neighbouring Sharjah shut access to Al Hamriyah Beach as a precaution.Before and after the tanker started spilling oil into the sea (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-2)Nidal Hilal, Professor of Engineering and Director of New York University Abu Dhabi's Water Research Center described the incident as a “serious environmental concern”. There are more than 500 different species inhabiting the Gulf waters, including dolphins and marine turtles.“The temporary closure of beaches and coastal areas is a prudent precaution while the extent of the spill and the movement of the oil are assessed,” Mr Hilal added.In Ras Al Khaimah, ⁠known for its beaches and luxury resorts, authorities said on Saturday that all beaches in the emirate would be closed until further ‌notice.Ships face numerous attacks amid war on IranSince the start of the war on Iran, attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf shipping lanes have driven up security risks for maritime traffic. October has been the worst month for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping route, and nearby waterways. GFS Pride sunk in the Strait of Hormuz on 15 October (Social media)On 15 October, a vessel carrying more than 2,500 containers caught fire and sunk after hitting a naval mine. The GFS Pride, a small container vessel with capacity for 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), sank while sailing through the strait, sources told Reuters.All 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) following the incident.