The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced on Friday the control over the oil spill resulting from an incident involving a tanker off the country's coasts, confirming that no new leaks have been detected and that technical and environmental measures are continuing to contain the effects and ensure the safety of maritime navigation.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted the ministry in a statement saying: "Specialized technical teams are continuing treatment operations for the tanker (GEM NO.2), which include repairing damaged parts and restoring some operational systems, alongside assessing the structural integrity to determine appropriate options for safe handling, in coordination with relevant federal and local authorities." The ministry clarified that the latest field assessments recorded no new oil leaks from the tanker, pointing to the continuation of maritime and aerial monitoring operations, and the use of satellite imagery to follow the situation and track any developments.
For its part, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed the continuation of efforts to contain marine pollution and address its effects, through conducting surveys, monitoring, and cleanup operations in affected coastal areas, in coordination with competent authorities. The ministry noted, based on the latest satellite images, that the oil slick is concentrated off the coasts of Ajman, with partial extension towards coastal areas in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Sharjah, highlighting a significant decrease in observed pollution density after the leak was stopped at its source.
The ministry explained that containment operations rely primarily on mechanical means, alongside the use of chemical dispersants in accordance with international standards and approved technical guidelines, confirming that the temporary closure of some beaches and coastal areas is part of precautionary measures and does not necessarily mean pollution has been detected at all covered sites. Regarding food safety, the ministry confirmed the safety of fish and food materials available in markets and their suitability for human consumption, pointing to the continued monitoring of air quality and evaluation of readings, and calling on residents to comply with instructions from competent authorities regarding beaches and coastal areas subject to precautionary measures.
In the same context, Etisalat Water and Electricity Company confirmed taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water, including monitoring seawater quality at production plant intakes, testing produced and distributed water, and verifying compliance with approved requirements before pumping it into the network, clarifying that these measures will not affect water supplies to beneficiaries. The ministry was scheduled to complete its procedures to ensure the restoration of normal conditions in affected areas.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)