Tanker Oil Reaches UAE Shores
A 35km slick from the Gem No.2 forces closures in Umm Al Quwain.
By Amir Navarro ·
The United Arab Emirates closed beaches near Umm Al Quwain on Thursday after oil from a struck tanker washed ashore. Verified video from Friday shows the water turning black as the spill reaches the coast. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated it began containment measures immediately to limit environmental impacts.
The spill originates from the Gem No.2, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. Satellite data from Monday detected the initial leak. By Wednesday, the slick stretched more than 35 kilometers, or 22 miles, from the vessel. Radar imagery reviewed by BBC Verify and the intelligence firm MAIAR indicates the leak grew rapidly between October 19 and October 21. A smaller leak was visible on October 19, but the volume increased sharply over the following two days.
The Gem No.2 was hit by an unknown projectile on October 9. The strike occurred just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, starting a fire that was later extinguished. Footage from October 10 shows crew members running across the deck and donning lifejackets beneath a plume of black smoke. Iranian state media reported the ship was attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized route. The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on October 11 that all 22 Indian crew members had been rescued.
The slick is extending toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. This region is a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area. It contains corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. The habitat supports green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, described the spill's proximity to this area as the most concerning environmental angle.
Security experts told BBC Verify the strikes are part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway. This action responds to the US military escorting more vessels through the strait. Commercial ships have faced attacks from both Iranian and US forces during the conflict. This incident follows a previous major spill in August, when oil reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island.
Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, said it is inevitable that the marine environment will face an impact. He noted that spills can kill life by trapping turtles, smothering seabirds, or damaging fish gills. Long-term harm is possible if species remain exposed to toxic compounds, which may affect their ability to reproduce. Researchers note it is too early to determine the full severity of the damage. The outcome depends on the oil volume, its type, evaporation rates, and the effectiveness of the clean-up.
The UAE authorities have confirmed that beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain are currently affected. The containment effort is ongoing. The slick remains active, stretching from the ship's position to the coastline.
