Murat Basoglu and Mohammad Sio
12 November 2026•Update: 12 November 2026
The United Arab Emirates’ Ras Al Khaimah emirate announced Thursday the reopening of seven beaches, nearly three weeks after all of its beaches were closed as a precaution following an oil spill off neighboring Umm Al Quwain.
The Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department said in a statement published by the emirate’s government media office that the reopening covers Flamingo, Dahan and Al Mairid beaches and Al Rams Corniche.
Beaches at the Anantara Mina Al Arab, InterContinental Mina Al Arab and Cove Rotana resorts were also reopened.
The department said updates on the reopening of the remaining beaches would be announced through its official channels.
Environmental assessments and cleanup operations are continuing in the remaining affected areas.
On Oct. 30, the UAE’s official WAM news agency said the oil tanker Gem 2 had been involved in an incident in Emirati territorial waters, while technical teams continued work to secure the vessel, repair damaged sections and assess its structural integrity.
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said field assessments available at the time had detected no new oil leakage from the tanker.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said satellite imagery showed the oil slick concentrated off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, with parts extending toward coastal areas of Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah.
The ministry said the leak had been stopped at its source and the intensity of the detected pollution had declined.
It added that beach and coastal-area closures were precautionary measures aimed at protecting the public and the marine environment while allowing surveys and cleanup operations to continue.