- Odors reported in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al-Quwain are not considered a health risk to residents
- All beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al-Quwain have been temporarily closed pending safety assessments
Updated 23 October 2026 06:10
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that its monitoring system had detected a tanker oil spill affecting beaches in Umm Al-Quwain.
Odors reported by residents in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain posed no health risks to them, the ministry said.
The ministry said all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al-Quwain had been temporarily closed until technical teams completed their assessments and determined the necessary safety and marine protection measures.
Survey operations are ongoing as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the marine environment, the statement added.