Sharjah authorities contain oil spill on Khor Fakkan beaches

Sharjah - Authorities have cautioned residents from going near the beaches to protect them from the harmful effects of the crude oil.

An oil spill on two beaches in Sharjah's Khor Fakkan has been successfully contained, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) has announced. The spill of the lightweight oil slick was reported at Al Lulayyah and Al Zubarah beaches and could have spelt disaster for the environment and marine biological system.

The EPAA collaborated with the police, municipal bodies, the coast guard and Bee'ah for the containment operation.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson of the EPAA, said: "After containing the spill, we are working to assess any damages caused, while restoring the environmental system in the area. The support from other authorities was crucial in containing the spill, which would have otherwise caused severe damages to the environment and marine life."

Authorities have cautioned residents from going near the beaches to protect them from the harmful effects of the crude oil.

Al Suwaidi stressed on the need to raise awareness among ship crews about damages caused by oil spills and the preventive measures that need to be adopted to curb them.

What's an oil spill?

An oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, the marine ecosystem in particular. These liquids could be crude oil and refined petroleum products like gasoline and diesel.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah