Sharjah, UAE—Sharjah Police has called on the public to take caution when at beach or going into the sea during the summer after reports of several drowning incidents.
Major Ibrahim Al Serah, deputy-director of awareness and public relation at Sharjah Police, said swimmers must follow weather forecast reports before going to the beaches. He urged the public to inform the rescue units deployed on the beaches in case of any accidents and emergency.
Protective measures have been taken to prevent water bike accidents which have caused injuries and even death to many people. Warning signboards have been installed in dangerous areas known for high currents. As part of a police campaign to make beaches safer, police are posting advice and messages on their social media sites.
Sharjah police and coastguard are often called to rescue people who have found themselves in trouble while swimming off the emirate’s beaches, although sometimes they are also tasked with retrieving bodies.
In May, police rescue teams recovered the body of a 20-year-old man who drowned while swimming with a friend off Al Humariah beach. In March, a 27-year-old Syrian man drowned while swimming at Al Khan beach.
In October last year, a Pakistani man drowned and a compatriot was rescued after getting into trouble in the sea off Al Khan beach.
On arriving at the scene, rescue and ambulance teams found that A K, 38, was dead, while M S, 36, was in a serious condition. He was taken to Al Qassimi Hospital for treatment.
Earlier that month a 75-year-old Kuwaiti man drowned while swimming in the same stretch of coast. Officers and ambulance crews arrived to find that the man had been rescued from the water by onlookers but was lying motionless on the shore. He was taken to Kuwaiti Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
In May, a 17-year-old Syrian boy drowned while swimming along the coast in Al Humariah. The teenager was rescued from the water and taken to Khalifa Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
