In brief
Tanker Gem No.2 was struck near the Strait of Hormuz on 9 October, releasing a large volume of crude oil that has drifted along the UAE shoreline. Satellite images show the slick covering more than 35 km of coast, including beaches near Umm Al Quwain. UAE authorities have begun containment operations and closed affected areas while environmental scientists warn of immediate and long‑term harm to marine life. The spill reaches key biodiversity zones, raising alarms about damage to coral reefs, seagrasses and endangered species.
Oil from a tanker hit near the Strait of Hormuz has spread along the UAE coast, forcing beach closures and triggering emergency response teams.
Satellite images first spotted the slick on 19 October, pointing to the Panama‑flagged crude tanker Gem No.2 that was damaged by an unknown projectile. The leak has rapidly extended over the past two days, covering more than 35 km along the shoreline near Umm Al Quwain.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment began containment measures immediately, while research scientists warn that the spill could kill marine animals, smother seabirds and impair fish gills. Short‑term effects are seen, but the long‑term damage will depend on the oil type, volume and speed of clean‑up efforts.
Key biodiversity areas, including the island of Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah, lie in the path of the oil. These zones host coral reefs, seagrass beds and critically endangered species such as the Halavi guitarfish and green turtles.
All 22 crew members aboard Gem No.2 were rescued and the vessel was forced to anchor after the incident. The attack is part of a broader series of strikes on shipping lanes that the U.S. and Iran have escalated over the past weeks.
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