Never leave children alone, police warn parents

abu dhabi — The Abu Dhabi Police have warned parents not to leave children unattended near swimming pools or beaches. The warning came after four children, including two brothers, drowned in a fishpond at a farm in Al Bahia area of Abu Dhabi.

The incident occurred on Sunday when the boys, including a 12-year-old Emirati and three Arabs aged 10, 11 and 12, from the same family were playing around the big pond that is used for raising fish. The pond, which is about 30 metres long, 10 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep, is located around 45km away from the Abu Dhabi city.

The Abu Dhabi Police said on Monday evening that Al Rahba Police Station sent rescue teams after receiving a information about the incident. Divers pulled the boys out of the water and paramedics provided first aid to them before they were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they later died.

The boys were buried at Baniyas graveyard on Monday afternoon. The Abu Dhabi Police have urged parents to always monitor the movements of their children and to always cover the ponds or holes located near their homes to avoid the occurrence of such tragedies in the future.

“Children should never be allowed to play near water ponds or tanks or adults should keep their eyes on children every second they are near the water.”

ismail@khaleejtimes.com