Beach odours in Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ pose no health risks, says Ministry

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) affirmed that the country’s technical monitoring and environmental assessment system detected marine pollution resulting from an oil spill from a tanker.

The impact of the spill reached the shores of Umm Al Quwain, causing odors that were noticed by residents in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, it said, adding that these odors did not pose any health concerns or risks to the population.

In a post on X platform, MOCCAE stated that upon detecting the pollution, specialized teams, in co-ordination with the concerned authorities, immediately took the necessary measures to contain the contamination and cordon off the affected areas.

Cleanup and remediation efforts were initiated to mitigate environmental impacts, while ongoing surveys, monitoring and assessments continued as a precautionary measure to determine the extent of the impact and ensure the safety of the marine environment, it said.

As a precautionary measure, MOCCAE, in co-ordination with the concerned authorities, temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in the emirate with a view to ensuring public safety and protecting the marine environment, it added.

MOCCAE urged fishermen and those visiting the sea to abide by the instructions issued by the competent authorities and refrain from fishing in the affected areas.

It also urged the public to obtain information from official channels and to avoid spreading rumours, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the public updated on the latest developments.