Families look for Al Quoz victims

DUBAI — Sitting under the shade of a tree surrounded by debris, 57-year-old Mohammed Jan is hopeful he will find at least the body of his 33-year-old missing son, Shakeel Bustan.

By Riyasbabu And Amira Agarib (Our staff reporters)

Published: Mon 31 Mar 2008, 8:43 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:52 PM

Since the inferno that erupted in the fireworks warehouse in the Al Quoz Industrial Area last Wednesday, Mohammed has been coming everyday to the spot in search of his son.

Mohammed is not the only one. Family members of four other Pakistanis follow him everyday for the same purpose. The four have been identified as Mohammed Khansal, 28, Mohammed Imtiaz (24), Mohammed Azim, 23, and Amjad Hussein (27). Their families are still waiting for information from the police.

Aftab Hussein, a Pakistani driver, said, “I have been coming here every day to find any details of my two missing brothers. I went to Rashid Hospital and the police, but nobody has any clue. I come here every day with the hope that they will find something when the debris is cleared."

"We all are staying together and they left home that fateful day at 5.30am. I never heard anything from them thereafter. Both my brothers were working in a warehouse that was gutted," he said.

Mohammed Jann said, "I cannot handle the situation. My son came here two months ago and now I don't know what his fate is. I went to enquire at Rashid Hospital and officials said they had no details. The police has also repeated the same. I hope when they remove the debris from the accident site, at least I will find some clue to my missing son."

Similarly, Mohammed Azim, father of Amjad Hussein, is also grieving. "My son was working in one of the warehouses when the fire erupted. I did not hear from him thereafter. I am worried and now expecting the worst since I am unable to get any information on his whereabouts," he said.

Dubai Police officers said seven people were reported missing and so far eight bodies have been found. The bodies that were recovered after the blaze were finally put out but could not be identified.

The relatives of missing people who wish to check whether the bodies found were those of their missing relatives have been asked to undergo DNA tests that would be conducted by Dubai Police's General Department of Forensic Medicine.