Oil spill spreads along UAE coast after tanker strike near Hormuz

An oil spill from the tanker Gem No.2, struck near the Strait of Hormuz in October, has spread over 35km along the UAE coastline, forcing beach closures near Umm Al Quwain. The slick is approaching Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a globally recognised Key Biodiversity Area home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Researchers say the environmental impact remains uncertain, depending on oil volume and clean-up effectiveness.