Oil leak from the “Gem No. 2” tanker off the coast of the UAE has been stopped, no new oil spills have been detected, and cleanup of the affected coastal areas is ongoing.
elchi reports that this was announced by the UAE Ministry of Environment, citing “The Times of Israel” newspaper.
According to the ministry, the oil slick formed near the northern emirate of Umm Al Quwain and is partially spreading towards the coastal areas of the neighboring northern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Sharjah.
The ministry noted that the concentration of oil pollution in the sea has significantly decreased.
As a precautionary measure, the authorities have temporarily closed some beaches and coastal areas. However, the country’s Ministry of Environment has emphasized that this decision does not necessarily mean that pollution has been detected in each of these areas.
The authorities have not disclosed the cause of the oil leak. However, sources in the shipping sector told “Reuters” that the leak could have been caused by a mortar that fell on the ship on October 9, causing a fire. The fire was subsequently extinguished.