Oil spill washes up on UAE beaches after tanker strike

Oil leaking from a tanker attacked near the Strait of Hormuz has spread along the United Arab Emirates coastline, washing up on beaches and forcing closures, according to BBC Verify.

Satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show the slick had spread more than 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the damaged vessel by Wednesday, after first appearing as a much smaller leak trailing the ship on 19 October.

UAE authorities said on Thursday that beaches in the northern part of the country are affected. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said it had immediately begun work to tackle the spill. Professor Steve Widdicombe of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre warned oil spills can kill marine life outright and cause longer damage from toxic exposure.

The spill is drifting toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a globally recognised Key Biodiversity Area - the most concerning environmental angle, according to experts. Researchers caution the full impact remains highly uncertain and depends on the oil type.

BBC Verify's analysis indicates the leaking vessel matches the Panama-flagged crude tanker Gem No.2, reported struck by an unknown projectile about two weeks ago. All 22 Indian crew members were rescued. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard identified the ship as one of a record number of vessels attacked around the strait.