Three dead in 10 drowning incidents in Ajman

Ajman - Authorities have deployed Maritime Rescue unit and a drone to minimise incidents

Three people died of drowning and two others were injured in 10 drowning incidents that occurred in the first half of 2017.
Brigadier General Mohammed Ali Jumeirah, Director of Civil Defense of fire stations in Ajman said that the number of deaths caused by drowning accidents is the same as last year, but injuries were reduced in six cases.
"During the same period last year, three died and nine were injured in drowning incidents at Ajman beaches. Many people were saved immediately after quick intervention by the Maritime Rescue unit, which operates 24 hours along the coast of Ajman, to save people from drowning during the summer season," he said.
He added that Ajman Civil Defense is always ready to face all types of incidents in order to protect people's lives and property, especially during summer.
The Maritime rescue teams - in the center - consist of 15 officers who are expert swimmers and equipped with modern equipment for rapid response. The team also monitors the weather and condition of the sea to advise swimmers and beach-goers about dangerous areas in the sea due to sea currents, caused by strong winds and high waves.
Brig. Jumeirah said that many people do not comply with the directives of the rescue team, who advise them not to swim in dangerous places or to swim late at night.
"They don't understand and put their lives at risk. Civil Defense distributes leaflets and pamphlets among the public to raise awareness of dangerous places at sea that are not allowed for swimming in order to protect their lives," he said.
He added that the Maritime Rescue Team was equipped with a surveillance drone to ensure rapid response and to locate the drowning persons and rescue them as soon as possible, stressing that the drone has contributed to reducing the incidence of drowning in the emirate. 
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Ajman