An oil spill from a tanker, identified as the Gem No.2, has spread along the coastline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prompting the closure of several beaches and coastal areas. The incident, which occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, was a result of a vessel strike by Iran between October 9 and 10. By Wednesday, satellite images revealed that the oil slick had extended over 35 kilometers from the tanker.
The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced on Thursday that they had initiated containment efforts to mitigate environmental damage. Beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain have been affected, with verified footage from Friday showing oil washing ashore and discoloring the water. Professor Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, stated that while the impact is inevitable, the full extent of the damage remains uncertain.
Initially, a smaller oil leak was visible, but it rapidly expanded over the following days, as confirmed by radar satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify and intelligence firm MAIAR. Oil spills pose immediate threats to marine life, potentially trapping turtles, damaging seabirds' feathers, or harming fish gills. Long-term exposure to toxic compounds from the oil could also affect species' reproductive abilities.
The spill extends towards the Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area, raising significant environmental concerns. This area is home to habitats like corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes, as well as species such as green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. A scientist from the Conflict and Environment Observatory emphasized the potential threat to this biodiversity hotspot.
Analysis of the ship's dimensions and location suggests it matches the crude oil tanker Gem No.2. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard reported that the Panama-flagged tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on October 9, just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, leading to a fire that was later extinguished. Footage posted on social media on October 10 showed the crew donning lifejackets amid rising black smoke.
Iranian state media released footage of a ship resembling the Gem No.2, appearing to show it aflame with oil spilling into the sea. The vessel had been attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz when the incident occurred. All 22 Indian crew members were rescued, according to the Indian consulate in Dubai on October 11.
The Gem No.2 is among a record number of ships attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz at the beginning of October. Security experts attribute this to Iran's efforts to assert control over the strait, following the US military's successful escort of more vessels through this crucial shipping lane. The ongoing conflict between Iranian and US forces has led to attacks on tankers and other commercial vessels in the region.
In a related incident, another significant oil slick washed ashore on Iran's Qeshm Island in August, threatening wildlife, protected ecosystems, and local fishing communities. The frequency of these attacks and resulting environmental disasters underscores the escalating tensions and their broader implications for regional stability.
