Six men working in underground water pipe killed during heavy rains in Oman
Six workers died in the Omani capital Muscat when the underground water pipe they were working in flooded during heavy rains.
Rescue workers attempted to save the men but were unable to reach them in time. Their bodies were recovered about 12 hours later.
The Times of Oman reported that rescue teams used heavy-duty pumps to drain the 295-metre concrete pipe, which lies 14 metres below ground.
There was no official comment on why the men were working in the pipe given the extreme weather that caused flooding and led to road closures across the country.
However, there were reports that the men were carrying out repairs on a section of the pipe.
It was not known if the repair work was connected to the recent heavy rains or if the pipe was for fresh water.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the incident involving [the] death of six workers, who are believed to be Indian [citizens], in the Seeb area of Muscat, Oman, following the heavy rains on November 10,” the Indian embassy in Muscat said yesterday.
The General Federation of Oman Workers said it would closely monitor the investigation into the men’s deaths.
However, there was no official confirmation of the nationalities of the men.
Elsewhere in Oman, the body of a man swept away by floodwaters in the Rustaq area was found by the authorities.
Oman’s civil aviation authority shared a weather report and said there was still a chance of more rain in several areas of the country that could cause flooding. It also said there was a chance of more hail and high winds.
The Gulf region was battered by storms this week, with rain and flooding in the UAE, Oman and parts of Saudi Arabia.