35km Oil Slick Hits UAE Coast

More than 35 kilometers of the United Arab Emirates coastline are now covered by an oil slick.

The spill originates from the Gem No. 2, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. Satellite data from Monday showed the initial leak. By Wednesday, the slick had expanded to its current length of 22 miles from the ship's position. A smaller leak was visible on October 19, but radar imagery reviewed by BBC Verify and the intelligence firm MAIAR indicates the volume of spilled oil grew rapidly over the next two days.

The Gem No. 2 was hit by an unknown projectile on October 9 just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra. The impact started a fire that crew members extinguished. Verified video from October 10 showed crew running across the deck in lifejackets under a plume of black smoke. Iranian state media reported the vessel was using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on October 11 that all 22 Indian crew members were rescued.

UAE authorities announced on Thursday that beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain are affected. Verified video from Friday shows oil reaching the shore and turning the water black. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated it immediately began containment efforts to limit environmental impacts.

The slick extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. This area is a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area with habitats for corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. It is home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, described the spill's proximity to this zone as the most concerning environmental angle.

Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, said an impact on marine life is inevitable. Spills can kill animals quickly by trapping turtles, smothering seabirds, or damaging fish gills. Longer-term exposure to toxic compounds in the oil may also affect the reproductive ability of species. Researchers note that the severity of the damage depends on the volume and type of oil, evaporation rates, and the effectiveness of the clean-up.

Security experts told BBC Verify the strikes on ships in the strait are part of an Iranian effort to assert greater control over the waterway. This follows US military escorts for more vessels through the area. Commercial ships from both Iranian and US forces have come under attack amid the conflict. In August, a similar large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island, threatening wildlife and fishing communities.