Dubai: The beach in the eastern coastal town of Kalba, part of the emirate of Sharjah, was closed on Wednesday as authorities cleaned up an oil spill.
Equipment and personnel were mobilised to clean up the area and identify the source of the 800-metre-long spill, Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) said.
Earlier, the oil spill was spotted by the coast guard in the area opposite Kalba’s cultural centre.
“We have moved to contain the oil spill and remove the residual oil stain,” said EPAA chief Hana Saif Al Suwaidi.
“We have coordinated to get the latest satellite image of the area.” The environmental body is assessing whether the oil spill has damaged local flora and fauna.
“Efforts have been be made from the moment the spill was detected and our team spared no efforts in containing the oil spill,” Al Suwaidi added.
Oil spills often occur when crude oil leaks from tankers, offshore platforms, and drilling rigs. After spills occur, oil can get into the fur and feathers of birds and animals, and kill fish.
A few months ago, the Sharjah EPAA held a meeting in response to an earlier oil spill in Kalba. That spill stretched over a one-kilometre stretch of the ocean.
