Emirate shuts all its beaches as oil from a tanker that was struck near Hormuz spreads along the UAE coast

The slick is believed to originate from the Panama-flagged Gem No.2, which was hit by an unidentified projectile on October 9 during a record surge of Iranian vessel strikes. All 22 Indian crew members were evacuated safely after fire broke out on board. A minor leak detected on October 19 grew rapidly, and by Wednesday satellite imagery showed the oil stretching over 22 miles from the stricken vessel.

Umm Al Quwain's beaches were shut first, and video shows the sea turned black.

Iranian state media claimed the tanker used an 'unauthorised and dangerous route' out of Hormuz.

Marine scientist Steve Widdicombe warned it was 'inevitable that there will be an impact'.