A reported oil spill off the coast of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island has caused the island’s hotels to stop guests swimming in the ocean as the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) investigates.
A minor oil spill was detected by the EAD on Friday, with the agency then advising residents on the island and visitors to stay away from the beaches, reports Gulf News.
The spill reportedly occurred along the St. Regis Sadiyaat Island Resort beach and the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas on Sadiyaat Island, with the St. Regis confirming that while guests were allowed to use the beach, hotel lifeguards were preventing anyone from entering the water.
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A statement from Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi said: "Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has been notified by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi that an oil spill incident had occurred along Saadiyat Beach. While an investigation into the spill is currently underway, we have been directed by the relevant authorities to take the necessary health and safety measures and temporarily restrict swimming at the beach."
"However, guests are still permitted access to the dry areas of the beach. We are working closely with the relevant authorities and our operators to monitor the situation and to ensure that the full beach is accessible to our visitors as soon as the situation permits," the statement added.
Members of EAD’s Environmental Emergency Team reportedly visited the site and conducted an initial environmental assessment confirming the occurrence of a minor oil spill. The team also collected water samples for analysis and is investigating the cause of the incident, with the agency working with the affected hotels.
Only last year Saadiyat beach was awarded a Blue Flag for quality, alongside a number of other UAE locations.
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