UAE's Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah reopen several beaches after tanker oil spill
USO•Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah reopened several beaches after bringing pollution from a tanker oil spill under control. The spill had spread along parts of the UAE's northern coast and prompted beach closures in three emirates.
1. Beaches reopen
Authorities in the UAE's Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah emirates reopened several beaches after a tanker damaged in a suspected attack caused an oil spill in the Gulf last month. Sharjah's media office said authorities had brought the pollution under control and that beaches and the marine environment were safe for visitors and marine activities.
2. Shipping risks remain
The spill had led to beach closures in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. October saw the highest number of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters since the conflict began, data compiled by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy showed. A separate vessel was struck by an unknown projectile northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, causing an engine-room fire; no injuries or pollution were reported. Shipping through the strait remains disrupted, and no shutdowns of Gulf desalination facilities have been reported.
