Russian tourists have developed skin rashes after swimming in the sea in the United Arab Emirates following a suspected fuel oil spill.
The reports were published by the Russian Telegram news channel Shot, which said holidaymakers in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah noticed skin reactions shortly after entering the water. Swimmers said that red spots initially appeared across their bodies, followed later by white pimples.
According to the tourists, the rash did not itch but caused considerable concern. The travellers discovered that several other holidaymakers staying along the coastline had experienced identical problems after bathing. Guests at certain hotels were also urged by staff not to film or photograph the polluted shoreline, despite family stays at some properties costing more than 300,000 rubles for a week.
Oil slick and beach closures
Preliminary information indicates that the symptoms were caused by a spill of mazut, a heavy fuel oil. The resulting slick has already stretched for 40 kilometres along the coast and continues to grow. Authorities have closed beaches across Ras Al Khaimah, while restrictions have been introduced along parts of the coastline in neighbouring emirates. The major tourist centres of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have not been affected.
Mazut is a heavy, low-grade petroleum product widely used in maritime shipping boilers and electrical power generation. Spills involving heavy fuel oils create persistent slicks that linger on the surface and wash onto coastal areas as black sludge. Direct contact with heavy petroleum distillates can trigger contact dermatitis, leading to acute skin irritation, redness, and superficial pustules.
Ras Al Khaimah resort area
Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates, located along the Persian Gulf coast near the border with Oman. The emirate has built an extensive tourism industry around coastal resorts, sandy beaches, and water sports, attracting international holidaymakers seeking alternatives to larger metropolitan areas in the region.
The UAE remains a favoured overseas destination for Russian travellers, who recently ranked the country among their top three holiday spots alongside Turkey and Egypt in an assessment of hotel quality. Beach closures across Ras Al Khaimah remain in effect and restrictions continue along neighbouring shores while the 40-kilometre fuel oil slick expands.
