Tanker oil spill washes onto UAE beaches as coastal areas close

Bloomberg reports the UAE temporarily closed beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain after detecting a tanker oil spill. BBC Verify says verified video shows oil washing ashore on October 23; its analysis found the leaking ship’s location and dimensions match Gem No.2. BBC Verify cites maritime intelligence firm Vanguard’s report that Gem No.2 was struck by an unknown projectile on October 9. Researchers say the environmental impact remains uncertain.