Reported missing 3 days back, expat found dead in UAE

Sharjah - A vehicle rammed into him and another pedestrian. Shiraz died on the spot.

 The body of an Indian expatriate - who was reported missing three days ago- was identified by his colleagues and family members at Sharjah's Kuwaiti Hospital late on Friday, September 27 evening.
Shiraz Abdul Kader, 42, was reportedly killed in a hit-and-run accident on Tuesday (September 24). The Sharjah Police officials told Khaleej Times the accident took place in Sharjah's Muweilah district while Shiraz was trying to cross the road at a signal near Nesto Supermarket, close to National Paints roundabout.
A vehicle rammed into him and another pedestrian. Shiraz died on the spot. The second pedestrian was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition. Police have confirmed that the driver involved in the accident has been arrested.
The victim worked as a telephone cable installation officer for a telecommunication company. Shiraz lived in an apartment with his wife and six-year-old daughter near National Paints locality and was going back home after work late Tuesday night. Originally from Vatanapally in Kerala's Thrissur district, Shiraz had been staying in the Gulf since 2006.
Family in shock
Shiraz's uncle PS Mohammed Ali said: "He was one of our family's most beloved sons. Shiraz was on his way back from work when the accident took place. For three days, we searched for him everywhere. It was shocking to learn about his death."
Shiraz's colleague said: "He had a late-night assignment at an apartment near National Paints on Tuesday, and the last we heard from him was at 12.10am. He called the office to inform us that he had completed the work, and was going home. Shiraz's apartment is a mere 500 meters away from the location he last worked. We assigned it to him in such a manner that he could walk home immediately after the job was done."
Ali said he would always call his wife to tell her about his whereabouts. "When she didn't hear from him Tuesday night, she panicked and called us for help. His company helped us a lot in the search."
On Friday afternoon, police officials informed Shiraz's company officials that a body with a similar description was found at Kuwaiti Hospital and the company's PRO was called to identify him. "After that, two family members went to see him. We are all in deep shock. He was a wonderful poet, a kind human being, and was so dear to our family," added Ali.
Indian social worker Naseer Vatanappally told Khaleej Times: "He was my classmate in school. We were neighbours back home. All efforts are being taken to repatriate his body to Kerala."
Another uncle Salaam Madathi Parambil said the funeral will be in Kerala. "We are hoping to repatriate the body by tomorrow morning. He's the only son in his family.
"He was an intellectual. He authored two books in Malayalam and had won awards for his writing. It's a great loss for our family."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah