The Sharjah Government Media Bureau announced on Thursday, November 12, that the emirate’s beaches had reopened to the public after an oil spill from a tanker was contained and its impact cleared.

According to Al Emarat Al Youm newspaper, the relevant authorities in Sharjah confirmed that the beaches were safe following specialist assessments and an evaluation of the marine environment. Citizens, residents and tourists can once again visit the beaches and take part in recreational and marine activities.

Officials said the assessments found no harmful traces of oil pollution in the areas examined that could pose a threat to public health or the marine environment.

Sharjah authorities also urged the public to obtain information about beach conditions only from official sources and to refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports.

They thanked citizens and residents for their cooperation during the pollution response and beach clean-up operations, stressing that round-the-clock monitoring of the marine environment would continue.

Sharjah Beaches Closed Since October 28

The Sharjah Government had previously ordered the temporary closure of beaches in Sharjah city on October 28 following reports of an oil spill from a tanker near the UAE coast.

The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the oil pollution from reaching the beaches and to protect public health and the marine environment.

Al Hamriyah Beach had also been temporarily closed on October 23 over concerns that the oil pollution could spread.

During this period, specialist teams and the relevant Sharjah authorities took the necessary measures to protect the coastline, contain the pollution and prevent it from spreading.

Seven Beaches Reopen in Ras Al Khaimah

Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah reopened seven beaches and coastal areas, including public beaches and those belonging to hotels and leisure resorts, on Wednesday, November 11, after several weeks of closures caused by oil pollution.

Beach closures across the northern emirates began after the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed on October 23 that an oil spill from a tanker near the coast of Umm Al Quwain had caused marine pollution.

The incident was also accompanied by reports of a fuel-like odour in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, raising concerns about its environmental impact.

As the oil spill has been contained and clean-up operations have progressed, some coastal restrictions in the affected emirates have gradually been lifted, while the relevant authorities continue to monitor the marine environment.