DOHA: The drowning of three Indian expatriates, including two children, off the Palm Tree (Al Nakheel) Island on Friday has highlighted the hazards that most beach lovers and swimmers face when they take a dip at locations in Doha and outside. Almost every known beach lacks regular lifeguards on duty and those venturing into the waters are left with their own survival skills or have to rely on those of others nearby.
One example is the Doha Marina, located between the Doha Club and the Oasis Hotel in the Ras Abu Abboud area. The public beach is a favourite weekend picnic venue for both bachelors and families, who have dips in the cool and inviting but seemingly shallow waters of the sea.
Thousands of people including children can be seen at the beach and in the water. Some stand neck-deep in the water to beat the heat. However, despite being such a popular destination, any visitor will find that the area has no lifeguards or even the basic rescue and life support equipment available in cases of emergency.
The same holds true for other similar sites such as the popular beaches outside Doha, including the one in Al Wakrah, Dakhira and Al Khor.
Officials at the Civil Defence department said they had put up warning signboards on some of the beaches where accidents have occurred in the past. These include a stretch of the beach located between the Diplomatic Club and Aladdin's Kingdom and a section of the beach in Mesaieed. They explained that waters around certain beaches appear innocuous but are indeed extremely dangerous since strong undercurrents and whirlpools, which can suck in humans, occur frequently. At marked spots, law enforcement officials patrol the waters with speedboats and if they spot any swimmers in the sea, they are asked, with a megaphone, to leave the place.
Officials said those who wish to have a picnic on the beach or swim in the sea can contact the department on telephone No. 4293333 or 4370524 and the authorities will be happy to provide them with a list of safety precautions and life-saving equipment they need to carry with them.
© The Peninsula 2004
