UAE oil spill nears Siniyah islands and threatens marine life

The UAE oil spill began with a tanker damaged near the Strait of Hormuz on 9 October, and it has now reached beaches near Umm Al Quwain.

Analysis of satellite and ship data matches the damaged tanker to Gem No.2, which was hit on 9 and 10 October near the Strait of Hormuz.

Satellite imagery showed the slick had spread more than 35km (22 miles) from the tanker by Wednesday.

UAE authorities said beaches near Umm Al Quwain are affected, and some beaches and coastal areas have been closed.

The slick extends towards Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish.

Researchers say the full environmental damage is still uncertain and depends on the amount and type of oil and the clean-up.

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