Bahrain - Elected officials have demanded the immediate closure of pools that violate regulations, as two drownings were recorded within 24 hours.
They have also called for random inspection checks to be stepped up throughout the summer months when people visit public swimming pools, privately rented pools and beaches in droves.
They claimed that while awareness and inspection campaigns were being conducted, these facilities were not being properly monitored.
Lack of lifeguards, first-aid kits, safety measures and clear paths for emergency services have been named as some of the key violations.
The GDN reported yesterday that an Asian man, aged 33, drowned in a swimming pool in Tubli in the early hours of Tuesday morning while an Arab man, aged 26, died in a pool in Juffair that evening.
One MP, Dr Masooma Abdulraheem, who plans to address this in legislation when parliament reconvenes in October, said majority of public pools did not abide by existing regulations.
“Even though the law exists, it isn’t enforced and there is no proper monitoring at all for these pools,” she said.
“If these pool owners are adhering to the law these unfortunate accidents won’t happen.
“An inspection campaign needs to be launched urgently to scrutinise the pools and immediately shut down any pools that don’t adhere to the regulations before we lose any more lives.”
According to the law, the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry is responsible for issuing licences for public pools, ensuring they comply with the rules and regulations, and issuing fines to violators ranging between BD1,000 and BD2,000, while also shutting down unlicensed facilities.
Last week the GDN reported on the plan to submit an urgent proposal in parliament forcing pool operators to employ full-time lifeguards at their facilities.
“We are facing deaths every summer, so this is an indication that there is a problem that needs to be addressed and solved as soon as possible to avoid losing more lives,” added Dr Abdulraheem.
“It is of dire importance to ensure pool address is written somewhere clear on the premises in the case of an accident, God forbid, people are able to contact emergency services.
“We shouldn’t wait for a tragedy to happen in order to uphold the law.”
Northern Municipal Council member Mohammed Al Dossary also demanded legal action against pool owners where drownings have occurred to serve as a deterrent.
“It is crucial to take immediate action against violators because this is a matter of life and death,” he said.
“Some pool owners spend a lot of money to ensure their pools are safe and follow regulations, while others place a fence around their pool and rent it out and that’s pure greed.
“Taking legal action against owners of the pools where people have drowned would serve as a deterrent to others – people’s lives aren’t a game and once a person dies you can’t bring them back.”
He also stressed the importance of conducting strict inspection campaigns before the start of the summer season.
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