Thursday, Jun 06, 2013
Sharjah: Drowning deaths in Sharjah doubled in 2012 compared to the year before, said Sharjah Police prompting authorities to re-examine safeguards to prevent deaths while swimming.
Sharjah Police authorities confirmed that there were 15 recorded cases of drowning in 2012 as compared to seven logged in police records for 2011.
The drownings occurred mainly in Al Khan and Al Mamzar area, according to new statistics released by Sharjah Police on Thursday.
Patrols will be stepped up in problem areas along the Sharjah coastline to monitor high tides and bad weather, which routinely claim lives of swimmers along the UAE coastline.
The most recent drowning happened on June 4 when the body of a 37-year-old Emirati was found at the beach behind the Sharjah Ladies Club. Police investigation suggested that the man had died as a result of drowning and his body came ashore via currents in the Gulf waters.
The latest incident has raised the total number of drownings in Sharjah in 2013 to four.
Colonel Omar Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director of Al Shaml police station, said attributing the drownings to a single cause is difficult given different situations, locations and ages of victims.
But, Colonel Al Suwaidi said police believe a contributing factor to the drownings may be failure by swimmers to adhere to safety instructions issued by police.
One clear warning from police to beachgoers is not to swim in areas deemed prohibited by authorities.
Colonel Al Suwaidi expressed concern over the increasing number of drowning accidents.
“We have repeatedly warned beachgoers not to go for swimming in the prohibited areas that are witnessing high tides,” he said. “Signboards are placed on the beach but some swimmers neglect them and endanger their lives by swimming in these areas. Also, many swimmers neglect the warnings and choose to swim on days when turbulent weather is witnessed and when there is high tide making swimmers more prone to drowning.”
He said that a rescue team and an ambulance routinely patrol the beach to respond immediately to any emergency call and have intervened on many occasions to prevent floundering swimmers from going under the waves.
Colonel Al Suwaidi said Sharjah Police and Rescue Department are taking preventive measures in areas that witness drowning incidents in order to spread safety and awareness.
He urged the public to call police on 999 or on 06 5631111 if they spot anybody in danger in the water. He said the public should take note of weather conditions and abide by the signboards near swimming areas and urged parents to watch their children and not leave them alone without supervision in order to protect their lives.
By Aghaddir Ali Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
