UAE contains oil spill from GEM NO.2 tanker, closes beaches as precaution
UAE authorities have contained an oil spill from the GEM NO.2 tanker after an attack in its territorial waters, temporarily closing several beaches and coastal areas.
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The UAE Ministry of Energy has announced that it has contained an oil spill from the tanker GEM NO.2, which was attacked in UAE territorial waters. Authorities have temporarily closed several beaches and coastal areas as a precaution, while ongoing surveys, cleanup operations, and marine pollution monitoring continue.
According to the UAE news agency, the ministry said technical teams are continuing to address the pollution caused by the oil spill, coordinating with relevant federal and local agencies through field surveys, monitoring, and cleanup efforts in affected coastal areas.
The ministry clarified that the closure of beaches and coastal areas does not necessarily mean pollution has been detected at all sites included in the measures, but is intended to protect public safety and the marine environment, and to allow for the completion of survey and remediation work.
As part of the response, UAE technical teams are continuing technical repairs to the tanker, including fixing damaged sections and restoring some operational systems, as well as assessing the vessel's structural integrity to determine the safest way to proceed.
Relevant authorities are also continuing marine and aerial monitoring for any potential oil leaks, as well as tracking air quality and evaluating readings. The public has been urged to follow instructions from authorities regarding beaches and coastal areas subject to precautionary measures.
Regarding drinking water supplies, the Etihad Water and Electricity Company confirmed that water safety and quality remain a top priority. The company noted that proactive measures have been taken to enhance the safety of the water production system, including monitoring seawater quality at intake points, testing produced and distributed water, and ensuring compliance with approved standards before it is supplied to the network.
The company also confirmed that the precautionary measures will not affect water supplies to consumers.