Gem No.2 Spill Expands to 35km, Closing Umm Al Quwain Shores

Crude oil from the Panama-flagged tanker Gem No.2 has stretched more than 35km along the United Arab Emirates coastline, forcing authorities to close beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain. The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile on 9 October, initiating a fire and a persistent leak that has expanded rapidly over the past week.

Satellite imagery captured on Monday indicated the early stages of the spill. By Wednesday, the slick had grown to 22 miles from the ship's location. Radar data reviewed by BBC Verify and the intelligence firm MAIAR shows the leak was small on 19 October but expanded significantly in the following two days. Verified video from Friday shows black oil washing ashore and darkening the water near Umm Al Quwain.

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated on Thursday that it had immediately begun containment operations to limit environmental impacts. The ministry confirmed that beaches near the city were being directly affected by the spreading crude.

The spill extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area. This region supports corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. It is also home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, described the spill's proximity to these islands as the most concerning environmental angle of the incident.

Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, told BBC Verify that an impact on marine life was inevitable. He noted that spills can trap turtles, smother seabird feathers, and damage fish gills. Long-term exposure to toxic compounds in the oil may also affect the reproductive abilities of local species. Researchers caution that it is too early to judge the full severity of the damage, as outcomes depend on the volume of oil, its type, evaporation rates, and the effectiveness of the cleanup.

The Gem No.2 was hit just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra on 9 October. Footage posted on social media on 10 October shows crew members running across the deck and donning lifejackets while a large plume of black smoke rises from the ship. Iranian state media shared similar footage and claimed the vessel was using an unauthorized and dangerous route to leave the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on 11 October that all 22 Indian crew members were rescued.

Security experts say the attack was part of an Iranian effort to assert greater control over the waterway in response to US military escorts for commercial vessels. The Gem No.2 was one of a record number of ships attacked in the area at the start of October. Commercial ships have faced attacks from both Iranian and US forces during the conflict.

This incident follows a major spill in August when another large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island. Experts at the time said that previous spill threatened wildlife, protected ecosystems, and local fishing communities.