Authorities in Umm Al Quwain are trying to find an explanation for a large number of plastic waste bags that were found on the beach on Sunday morning.
It is suspected that a passing freight ship dumped the bags at sea, either to dispose of them or to reduce its load to avoid sinking.
Plastic bags containing waste of various types washed ashore and were found strewn along the beach at Al Ras area near the Corniche. They were collected by sanitation workers and disposed off properly in a rubbish tip.
Mariam Abdullah, acting director of the department of public works and services in UAQ, confirmed that the beach was completely cleared of the waste bags.
A number of UAQ residents urged authorities to increase control over passing freight ship, some of which dump their waste or conduct maintenance works at sea, leading to water pollution and dead fish.
Residents said there have been similar incidents, but official measures were insufficiently stringent to deter repeat problems.
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