Khor Fakkan Municipality in Sharjah on Monday afternoon announced the temporary closure of swimming at Al Zubarah Beach as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

The decision comes after traces of oil were detected in the seawater, prompting immediate action to protect beachgoers visiting the popular beach.

Authorities emphasised that the move is temporary and part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining a clean and safe environment for residents and visitors alike.

"Your safety is our priority," the municipality stated, adding that teams are working diligently to monitor the situation and address the issue as quickly as possible.

The municipality apologised to the public for any inconvenience this may cause and expressed its appreciation for the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, confirmed to Gulf News that swimming has been temporarily prohibited as a precautionary measure due to the presence of a small amount of oil in the sea, to ensure visitors’ safety.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the municipality and are actively investigating the source of the oil spill,” she said.