Six injured as parachute ropes snap in UAE

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Sharjah - One of them landed in a nearby farm while the other came crashing down on a road.

By Afkar Abdullah

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Published: Sun 10 Nov 2019, 4:48 PM

Six Asians were injured after the ropes connecting them to their parachutes snapped as heavy rains and high-speed winds hit Sharjah's Khor Fakkan on Saturday.
The men were parasailing on three parachutes off the beach when the ropes snapped.
According to the police, one of the men landed in a nearby farm and another one on a road near a shopping centre. The police did not specify where the other four crashed.
A video taken by a motorist who was passing by showed two men dangling in air, struggling amid strong winds. The rope then snapped, sending them flying. Another video showed one of the men at the farm, with a part of the parachute hanging from a date palm. Both videos have gone viral on social media.
All three men were discharged after getting treatment at the Khor Fakkan Hospital. The police have launched an investigation to ascertain whether the company which rented the parachutes to the trip followed safety norms.
Heavy rains in some areas
Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed some areas of the east coast on the day. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) posted videos of rains in Dibba and Aqah in Fujairah; and Dibba Al Hisn and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah. Heavy rains and winds were also reported in Sharjah's Kalba.
A video doing the rounds on social media showed winds wreaking havoc in Kalba. The video showed temporary road barricades being blown off, even as motorists stopped on the side to help put them back.
The NCM had issued an alert of "hazardous weather events of exceptional severity" in some areas till Saturday evening.
The authority had earlier advised residents living in the northern emirates and coastal areas to take precaution and brace for intermittent and torrential rains from Saturday till Tuesday.
In its four-day forecast issued on Saturday, the NCM said rainy conditions will prevail "over the coasts, islands, northern and eastern areas". The authority also forecast "moderate to fresh winds, especially with the clouds activity causing blowing sand".
Ambulance warns of inclement weather
The National Ambulance has said it has taken measures to deal with the "potential increase in the number of emergency calls" due to the current weather conditions, including rain, floods, sand storms and strong winds hitting different areas in the Northern Emirates.
"We urge the community and road users to be extra cautious, drive safely, reduce driving speed and leave safe distance between vehicles. (We also urge them to) stay away from beaches, streams and valleys and follow the instructions and warnings provided by the NCM," it said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com


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