Officials in the Sharjah’s Khor Fakkan have prolonged the shutdown of Al Zubarah Beach for the second day in a row after the occurrence of an oil spill that has covered the coastal waters. The situation has been met with a quick reaction from local environmental officials who are working round the clock to contain the spreading and determine the extent of the damage.
The oil spill is worrying about its ecological effects on marine organisms and the beach area itself, a favorite among inhabitants and tourists. Cleanup continues, with the deployment of barriers and the utilization of specialized equipment to reduce ecological damage.
Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) has instructed the public to steer clear of the beach for the time being. The authority has also assured that water quality is monitored closely, and only when safety standards are retrieved will the beach be opened to the public.
Although the source of the spill is still under investigation, preliminary reports indicate it may have occurred due to offshore sea activity. Local authorities committed to transparency and are set to make public a comprehensive report following an in-depth investigation into the origin of the contamination.
