UAE's Ras Al-Khaimah shuts all beaches; oil spill triggers closures across coastline

Ras Al Khaimah has ordered the closure of all beaches in the emirate until further notice following an oil spill that has caused marine pollution in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters said. The move comes as authorities step up containment and cleanup efforts to limit environmental damage and protect the coastline.

The United Arab Emirates' ministry of climate change and environment said its technical monitoring and environmental assessment system detected an oil spill from a tanker. Authorities have launched containment, cleanup and remediation operations in coordination with local and federal agencies.

The ministry also confirmed that odours linked to the spill had been reported in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. It assured residents that the odours posed no health risks. "Immediately after the pollution was detected, in coordination with the relevant local and federal authorities, [the Ministry] began implementing measures to contain the pollution and cordon off the affected areas," the ministry said.

Umm Al Quwain has also temporarily closed all its beaches and coastal areas as a precaution. The closures will remain in place until technical teams complete their assessments and determine the measures needed to ensure public safety and protect marine life. Coastal surveys, monitoring operations and technical assessments are under way to establish the extent of the pollution and assess its impact on the marine ecosystem.

Authorities are continuing cleanup work and may introduce further measures based on the findings. The ministry has also urged fishermen and other sea users to follow official instructions and avoid fishing in affected areas. It has also asked the public to rely on official channels for updates and refrain from spreading rumours.