An oil spill from a tanker attacked near the Strait of Hormuz is spreading along the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coastline, forcing the closure of some beaches and coastal areas. Satellite images from Monday show the beginnings of the oil spill from a ship matching the location and dimensions of Gem No.2, which was damaged between 9 and 10 October during a record surge of vessel strikes by Iran.
Spill Details
The slick of oil had spread more than 35 km (22 miles) from the tanker by Wednesday, according to satellite imagery. UAE authorities reported on Thursday that the incident is affecting beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain. Verified video from Friday shows the oil washing ashore, coloring the water black.
The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that it "immediately began containment" to "limit environmental impacts". Prof. Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, told BBC Verify it was "inevitable that there will be an impact", but researchers caution it is too soon to assess the extent of the damage.
Timeline of Events
- 19 October: A much smaller oil leak was first observed emerging from the ship.
- 9 October: The Gem No.2 was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on board that was later extinguished.
Environmental Concerns
Oil spills can cause immediate deaths of marine animals and other organisms, for example by physically trapping turtles, smothering the feathers of seabirds, or damaging the gills of fish. They can also cause longer-lasting damage if species remain exposed to toxic compounds from the oil, which could impact their ability to reproduce.
