UAE says oil leak from tanker has been stopped, pollution eases

The UAE announced that an oil leak from the Gem No. 2 tanker has been stopped, with no new leakage detected. Cleanup operations continue along affected coastlines, with the oil slick concentrated off Umm Al Quwain and extending toward Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Sharjah. Marine pollution density has declined markedly, state news agency WAM reported. Authorities closed some beaches as a precaution. Shipping sources told Reuters the vessel was struck by a projectile on October 9, causing a fire.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Friday that an oil leak from the Gem No. 2 tanker has been stopped, with no new leakage detected, as cleanup operations continue along affected coastlines. The oil slick is concentrated off the northern emirate of Umm Al Quwain and extends partly toward coastal areas in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah, state news agency WAM reported, citing the environment ministry. The density of marine pollution has declined markedly, it added. Authorities have temporarily closed some beaches and coastal areas as a precaution, though the ministry said this did not necessarily mean pollution had been detected at every site affected by the closures. Environment ministry teams are carrying out field surveys, monitoring and cleanup operations in coordination with federal and local authorities. Authorities have not said what caused the spill, but shipping sources have told Reuters the vessel was struck by a projectile on October 9, causing a fire that was later extinguished. Technical teams have repaired damaged parts of the tanker, restored some operating systems, and are assessing its structural integrity. The UAE also said fish and food products available in markets are safe for human consumption and that precautionary measures to protect drinking water supplies would not affect distribution. The country relies heavily on desalination plants for drinking water, making marine contamination particularly sensitive.