Oil Spill from Tanker Closes Umm Al Quwain Beaches, Causes Odours in Three Emirates

Odour Investigation and Timeline

Residents first noticed unusual odours on Monday, 19 October, in Sharjah and other parts of the UAE. Authorities began monitoring the situation in coordination with federal and local agencies. On 20 October, Lieutenant General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, said on the Direct Line programme on Sharjah TV and Radio that the situation was safe and stable, with no threat to public health or safety. He added that the odours reported the previous day had disappeared, though monitoring and inspections continued as a precaution, and noted that the reports were not limited to Sharjah.

On 21 October, MOCCAE said it was working with local authorities to investigate the odours and that its assessments had found no cause for concern. Field monitoring and response efforts continued to help dissipate the smells, and residents were advised to rely on official information sources. On 23 October, the ministry confirmed that the odours were linked to a tanker oil spill affecting Umm Al Quwain’s beaches.

Clean-Up and Precautionary Measures

According to MOCCAE, specialised teams began work as soon as the pollution was detected, coordinating with local and federal authorities to contain it and cordon off the affected areas. Clean-up and remediation operations have started to minimise the environmental impact. The ministry said surveys, monitoring and environmental assessments are ongoing across Umm Al Quwain’s coastal areas as a precaution to determine the extent of the impact and protect the marine environment.

In a post on X on 23 October, the Umm Al Quwain Municipality Department said it was continuing its field efforts with relevant authorities to contain the spill’s effects on the emirate’s beaches and limit its impact on the marine environment and coastal areas. The municipality is working to contain affected areas, support clean-up and remediation operations, and protect marine habitats and coastal ecosystems. Its field teams are monitoring environmental conditions at affected locations to prevent the pollution from spreading, while inspections continue along the coastline. The municipality is also coordinating with relevant authorities to speed up the response and ensure teams can adapt as the situation develops.

MOCCAE said that, as a precaution and in coordination with relevant authorities, all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain have been temporarily closed. The closure will remain until technical teams complete their assessments and identify the necessary measures to ensure safety and protect the marine environment. No reopening date has been announced. Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from the closed beaches and coastal areas until authorities declare them safe.

In neighbouring Sharjah, Al Hamriya Beach was temporarily closed on Friday, 23 October, as part of proactive precautionary measures to prevent marine pollution from the tanker spill from reaching the emirate’s shores, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau said. Specialised teams and concerned authorities in Sharjah are taking necessary actions to keep the beaches safe and prevent pollution from reaching them. The teams called on fishermen and sea goers to follow instructions to preserve public safety.

MOCCAE has urged fishermen and other sea goers to follow the instructions of the relevant authorities and refrain from fishing in areas affected by the pollution. Fishermen in Umm Al Quwain have suspended fishing activities in affected areas, in line with official instructions, pending the completion of containment and remediation operations.

Both MOCCAE and the Sharjah Government Media Bureau have called on the public to obtain information from official channels and avoid spreading rumours. Separately, Fujairah Police General Headquarters reminded the public not to photograph military sites, facilities or vehicles, to safeguard the security and safety of the community.

The UAE ministry reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the public updated on developments and the measures taken.