35km: The length of the Gem No.2 spill threatening UAE marine wildlife

A 35km oil slick from the tanker Gem No.2 has reached the northern coast of the United Arab Emirates, prompting authorities to close beaches in Umm Al Quwain.

The timeline of the incident began on 9 October, when maritime intelligence firm Vanguard reported the Panama-flagged vessel was struck by an unknown projectile just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra. A fire broke out immediately and was later extinguished. Footage verified on 10 October showed crew members donning life jackets beneath a plume of black smoke. Iranian state media reported the ship was attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized route. By 11 October, the Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed that all 22 Indian crew members had been rescued. Radar satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify and intelligence firm MAIAR shows that while a small leak was visible on 19 October, the spill expanded rapidly over the next two days.

On Thursday, UAE officials stated that beaches near Umm Al Quwain were being affected by the growing slick. Verified video from Friday showed oil washing ashore and darkening the water. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced it had immediately begun containment efforts to limit environmental impacts. The slick now extends more than 35km from the ship's location, heading toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. This area is a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area that supports coral reefs, seagrass beds, saltmarshes, green turtles, and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire of the Conflict and Environment Observatory identified the spill's proximity to this zone as the most concerning environmental angle. Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, noted that an impact on marine life was inevitable but cautioned that it is too early to determine the severity of the damage. Factors including oil volume, type, evaporation rates, and cleanup effectiveness will determine the long-term effects on species' reproductive abilities.

The Gem No.2 strike occurred during a period of heightened conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Security experts told BBC Verify that the attacks were part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway in response to increased US military escorts. Commercial vessels have faced strikes from both sides. In August, a similar large oil slick reached Qeshm Island in Iran, threatening local ecosystems and fishing communities.