Oil Spill Closes Beaches in Northern UAE as Russian Tourists Report Rashes

An oil spill off the coast of the United Arab Emirates has forced the closure of public beaches in four northern emirates, with Russian holidaymakers reporting skin rashes after swimming in the sea.

The tanker Gem No.2, sailing under the Panamanian flag, was damaged near the Strait of Hormuz on 9 October, and the resulting oil slick reached 750 square metres. Beaches in Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah were shut, while beaches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Ajman remain open and operating normally.

Tourists in Ras Al Khaimah described red patches and white pimples appearing on their skin, which they said did not itch but caused concern. In Sharjah, visitors are allowed on the sand but not in the water. One Russian tourist said she saw no cleanup efforts at her hotel, though aircraft were seen spraying something overhead. Another described smelling bitumen and spotting small black particles in the sea at Ajman, after which guests were asked to leave the water.

More than 120 families have been moved from hotels in the affected zone, though some were relocated from Ras Al Khaimah to Sharjah only to find pollution had reached there too. Others say they were refused relocation because hotels are full. The operator Intourist said 75 percent of its organised tourists chose to stay put rather than move to Dubai, and that hotels are cancelling bookings without penalty where possible. Cleanup work could take several days to a week, and Intourist recommended Abu Dhabi for particularly worried travellers, as it lies furthest from the contamination.