Ras Al Khaimah:The United Arab Emirates' Ras Al Khaimah emirate has announced the reopening of seven beaches. This development comes nearly three weeks after a precautionary closure was implemented due to an oil spill off neighboring Umm Al Quwain.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department stated that the reopened beaches include Flamingo, Dahan, Al Mairid, and Al Rams Corniche. Additionally, the beaches at resorts such as Anantara Mina Al Arab, InterContinental Mina Al Arab, and Cove Rotana are now accessible to the public again.
The department also mentioned that updates regarding the reopening of the remaining beaches will be conveyed through its official channels. Meanwhile, environmental assessments and cleanup operations are still ongoing in the affected areas.
On October 30, the UAE's official WAM news agency reported that the oil tanker Gem 2 was involved in an incident within Emirati territorial waters. Technical teams are working to secure the vessel, repair damaged sections, and assess its structural integrity. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure indicated that no new oil leakage has been detected since the initial incident.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment noted that satellite imagery revealed the oil slick was concentrated off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, with some parts extending toward Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Sharjah. The ministry confirmed that the leak had been stopped at its source, and the intensity of the detected pollution has decreased. The closure of beaches and coastal areas was a precautionary measure to protect the public and the marine environment while allowing for ongoing surveys and cleanup efforts.