Oil spill washes up on UAE beaches after tanker strike
An oil spill from a tanker attacked near the Strait of Hormuz is spreading along the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coastline, forcing the closure of some beaches and coastal areas.
TL;DR
- An oil spill from a damaged tanker is spreading along the UAE coastline, closing some beaches.
- Satellite images suggest the spill originated from the Gem No.2 tanker, attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.
- The oil slick has spread over 35km and is washing ashore near Umm Al Quwain.
- The spill poses a threat to protected marine habitats and endangered species on nearby islands.
- The tanker attack is part of a surge in vessel strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, seen as an Iranian effort to assert control.