Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah have closed the beaches following an oil spill off the coast of the United Arab Emirates

Authorities in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, in the northern United Arab Emirates, closed all public beaches on Saturday until further notice after an oil spill occurred off the country’s coast, near the Strait of Hormuz. No reopening date was announced.

The decision was made to protect the public as specialist teams work to contain the spill and assess its environmental impact. The UAE Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said Friday that response operations were under way.

The incident also prompted other northern emirates to restrict access to the coastline. Umm Al Quwain temporarily closed its beaches and coastal areas, while Sharjah preventively closed Al Hamriyah Beach. Residents of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain reported unusual smells, but the ministry said they posed no health risks.

Authorities have not identified the tanker involved and have not specified the cause of the spill. Fishermen and other sea users were asked to avoid the affected areas and follow official instructions. Ras Al Khaimah is a major tourist destination, with beaches and luxury resorts, including the future Wynn Resorts complex on Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027.