Major Oil Spill From Attacked Tanker Forces Closure Of UAE Beaches
Amid the record pace in Iranian attacks on crude tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, many have been wondering: where does all that oil end up when it comes to severely damaged or sunken tankers?
On Friday the UAE has confirmed a deeply alarming event: some of its beaches are being shuttered as a major spill is washing up after a tanker was struck by a projectile off the UAE coast, resulting in a fire aboard the vessel and apparent major spillage. The attack incident happened earlier in October.
Regional media, illustrative
Authorities have "detected a tanker oil spill affecting Umm Al Quwain's beaches," the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced in a statement.
It confirmed that the emirate in question was forced to close its beaches, and that "teams immediately began containment, cordoning, clean-up and remediation... to limit environmental impacts."
International reports have identified that the leak resulted from the Oct.9 incident involving the GEM NO.2 tanker, which had been detailed by the UKMTO
"Gem No. 2, was hit by a projectile Friday off the coast of the UAE resulting in a fire onboard. The ship departed Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, in March and has remained in the Persian Gulf since the war began," as reported at the time.
The last week saw increasing complaints by beach area residents of unusual smells - reports that were initially brushed off by local authorities. One regional Gulf outlet documents the following timeline:
But then by Friday the oil spill impacting beaches was belatedly confirmed. This came long after oil-like smells began to inundate local social media, and government office call centers.
The emerging environmental disaster also impacts the local fishing industry, and boats have been advised to steer clear of the area until a full environmental assessment can be done. Given that the Iranians have recently stepped up their attacks on shipping in the region, more such disasters could soon unfold.
Tyler Durden Fri, 10/23/2026 - 12:40
Continue reading...
[ H/T ZeroHedge ]
Amid the record pace in Iranian attacks on crude tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, many have been wondering: where does all that oil end up when it comes to severely damaged or sunken tankers?
On Friday the UAE has confirmed a deeply alarming event: some of its beaches are being shuttered as a major spill is washing up after a tanker was struck by a projectile off the UAE coast, resulting in a fire aboard the vessel and apparent major spillage. The attack incident happened earlier in October.
Regional media, illustrative
Authorities have "detected a tanker oil spill affecting Umm Al Quwain's beaches," the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced in a statement.
It confirmed that the emirate in question was forced to close its beaches, and that "teams immediately began containment, cordoning, clean-up and remediation... to limit environmental impacts."
International reports have identified that the leak resulted from the Oct.9 incident involving the GEM NO.2 tanker, which had been detailed by the UKMTO
"Gem No. 2, was hit by a projectile Friday off the coast of the UAE resulting in a fire onboard. The ship departed Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, in March and has remained in the Persian Gulf since the war began," as reported at the time.
The last week saw increasing complaints by beach area residents of unusual smells - reports that were initially brushed off by local authorities. One regional Gulf outlet documents the following timeline:
But then by Friday the oil spill impacting beaches was belatedly confirmed. This came long after oil-like smells began to inundate local social media, and government office call centers.
The emerging environmental disaster also impacts the local fishing industry, and boats have been advised to steer clear of the area until a full environmental assessment can be done. Given that the Iranians have recently stepped up their attacks on shipping in the region, more such disasters could soon unfold.
Tyler Durden Fri, 10/23/2026 - 12:40
Continue reading...
[ H/T ZeroHedge ]
