A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Sharjah on Friday afternoon when a boat capsized, leading to the death of one person and the rescue of 16 others. According to officials, a major search and rescue operation was launched after the alarm was raised about the incident.
Reports suggest that the passengers were on a leisure boat, which overturned and left them stranded in the sea. Rescue teams, including the national ambulance, police patrols, and the coastguard, immediately sprang into action.
Despite the swift response, four people, including a young child, sustained injuries in the accident. Officials have not provided any details about the nature or extent of their injuries. However, all of the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Unfortunately, one of the injured passengers, a 38-year-old Asian national, succumbed to their injuries, according to Col Dr Ali Al Hamoudi, director of the Eastern Region Police Department.
The police revealed that their initial investigations suggest that the accident occurred due to breaches in the operation of the vessel. Consequently, those responsible for the boat’s operation have been referred to the relevant authorities for further legal action.
The senior officer has urged leisure boat companies to abide by security and safety procedures. He stressed the importance of sailing cautiously, not exceeding the permitted number of passengers, and ensuring that all on board wear life jackets to safeguard the well-being of tourists.
In conclusion, this unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols when it comes to leisure boat operations. The tragedy underscores the need for caution and vigilance to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
