UAE emirate shuts every beach as oil from a tanker Iran struck spreads along the UAE coast

The slick has spread over 22 miles from the Panama-flagged Gem No 2, which Iran attacked during a record wave of ship strikes on October 9 and 10. Umm Al Quwain, about 35 miles from Dubai, was the first to close its beaches as darkened water reached the shore. The leak appeared far smaller on October 19. The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment insists the stench poses no health risk.

Video from the Gem No 2 shows crew donning life jackets amid billowing black smoke.

The tanker was trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz by an 'unauthorised' route.

Residents in northern Dubai reported an unusual oil-like smell hanging over the area.