United Arab Emirates officials closed beaches following an expanding tanker oil spill
Satellite images showed that an oil spill from a damaged tanker off the UAE has widened, prompting further beach closures. Images dated October 24 showed oil nearing the shores of northern Umm Al Quwain. The environment ministry said beaches and coastal areas around the city were temporarily closed, while Sharjah restricted access to Al Hamriyah Beach.
More context
Authorities have closed additional beaches after an oil spill from a damaged tanker off the United Arab Emirates expanded. Copernicus satellite imagery from the European Union's network, dated October 24, indicates the spill has grown in recent days and is nearing the coast of northern Umm Al Quwain.
On Friday, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced a temporary closure of all beaches and coastal areas around the city of Umm Al Quwain. Nearby Sharjah authorities also barred access to Al Hamriyah Beach as a precaution.
Professor of Engineering and Director of New York University Abu Dhabi's Water Research Center Nidal Hilal told Reuters the spill was a serious environmental concern. He called the closures a prudent precaution while the extent of the spill and the movement of the oil are assessed.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
Verifier’s note
Reuters reports that satellite images show the spill widening and that authorities responded with more beach closures. CGTN’s headline matches the claim, but its result contains no article text to confirm it as a separate report.