Khor Fakkan Municipality in the emirate of Sharjah announced the temporary closure of Al Lulu’iya Beach on Monday, November 9, 2026, after oil slicks were spotted along the coastline. The decision was taken to protect visitors and ensure public safety.

According to the Khaleej Times, authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid the area until the beach reopens and to follow safety instructions.

Khor Fakkan Municipality has not yet provided further details about the source of the oil slicks or when the beach may reopen.

Oil spill containment operations continue along UAE’s northern coast

The closure of Al Lulu’iya Beach comes as UAE authorities continue to monitor and contain the effects of oil pollution detected in the coastal waters of Umm Al Quwain. According to official reports, the pollution has also affected parts of the coastlines of Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah.

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on October 30 that the severity of the oil pollution had decreased significantly, while specialised teams continued monitoring, containment and clean-up operations in affected areas.

The pollution followed an incident involving the oil tanker Gem No. 2 in UAE territorial waters.

However, authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the oil slicks spotted at Khor Fakkan Beach and the tanker incident.

According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the leak from the original source has been stopped, while containment operations and efforts to address the environmental impact are continuing.

No new leak detected from damaged tanker

According to an official report issued on October 30, field assessments at the time found no evidence of a new oil leak from the Gem No. 2 tanker.

However, maritime and aerial surveillance operations remain under way, with satellite imagery also being used to assess pollution levels and identify any potential developments.

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said technical teams were repairing damaged sections of the tanker, restoring some operational systems and assessing its structural safety.

Satellite imagery available on October 30 showed that the oil slicks were mainly concentrated in the coastal waters of Umm Al Quwain, with some pollution spreading towards coastal areas of Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah.

UAE authorities emphasise drinking water safety

Etihad Water and Electricity has also said that maintaining the safety and quality of drinking water remains one of its main priorities.

The company has implemented a series of preventive measures to enhance the safety of its water production and distribution system.

These measures include monitoring seawater quality at desalination plant intake points, testing produced and distributed water, and verifying compliance with approved standards before it enters the distribution network.

Etihad Water and Electricity stressed that these precautionary measures would not affect water supplies to customers.

Beach closures do not necessarily indicate pollution in all areas

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment previously explained that temporary closures of beaches and coastal areas are precautionary and do not necessarily mean oil pollution has been detected in every area covered by the restrictions.

The measures are intended to protect public safety, prevent damage to the marine environment, and allow coastal areas to be inspected and cleaned.

The ministry also said that fish and other food products sold in UAE markets were safe for human consumption, highlighting the role of the country’s food safety monitoring system.

Which UAE beaches have been closed?

Oil pollution in recent weeks has prompted temporary closure orders for several beaches in the northern emirates.

Umm Al Quwain: After oil pollution was detected, authorities announced the temporary closure of all beaches and coastal areas in the emirate.

Sharjah: Al Hamriyah Beach was closed on October 23 as a precautionary measure. On October 28, Sharjah authorities announced the temporary closure of beaches in Sharjah city to allow specialised teams to take the necessary steps to prevent the pollution from spreading.

Ras Al Khaimah: The emirate’s Public Services Department announced on October 24 that all public beaches would remain closed until further notice.

Khor Fakkan: Khor Fakkan Municipality also ordered the temporary closure of Al Lulu’iya Beach on Monday, November 9, after oil slicks were spotted along the coastline.

The restrictions were announced on different dates, and the reopening status of each beach should be checked against the latest notice from the relevant local authority.

Authorities have urged residents and tourists to follow official announcements when visiting coastal areas and to avoid closed beaches until the restrictions are lifted.