Tanker Oil Spill Forces Closure of Beaches in UAE

An oil spill from a tanker was detected off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, prompting containment operations and environmental assessments, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday.

The ministry said all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain had been temporarily closed until technical teams completed their assessments and determined the necessary safety and marine protection measures.

The ministry also urged fishermen and other sea users to avoid affected areas and follow official instructions.

The announcement followed reports of a strange odour by residents in some emirates on social media. The ministry said that odours reported by residents in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain posed no health risks to them.

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