Ras Al Khaimah: Rich tributes have poured in for Emirati firefighter Jasim Eisa Al Baloushi, who died while responding to the Emirates airline crash-landing in Dubai on Wednesday.
Al Baloushi, who was 27, has been praised for his sacrifice by the UAE leadership, top officials, his family and ordinary residents.
He died while trying to contain the situation after flight EK521 from Thiruvananthapuram, India, landed at Dubai International Airport shortly before 1pm on Wednesday, and burst into flames.
Jasim Eisa Al Beloushi during a fire drill.
Al Baloushi was buried on Thursday morning not far from the family home in Ras Al Khaimah, at the Suleiya graveyard following the funeral prayer at Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Mosque.
He was part of the Civil Defence force responding to the incident. All 300 passengers and crew on board have survived, with no major injuries reported. There is no word yet on the cause of the incident.
Al Baloushi was the eldest among five siblings — three brothers and two sisters. On Thursday, family and friends said his sacrifice made them and the country proud. Praises were also showered on him by well-wishers on social media from across the country.
“Ever since he was a small boy, Jasim loved to help people, regardless of their nationality, religion or social status. I think that’s why he joined Civil Defence, so he could serve his country and protect all its residents. I miss him dearly and I’m really proud of him,” his father Eisa Al Baloushi told Gulf News
“It was his character to help both loved ones and strangers in danger. He had the spirit of volunteerism from a young age.”
Eisa Al Baloushi added that his son wanted to settle the family in a house of their own before considering marriage or before continuing his higher education. He said: “Jasim was always like that — putting family first. He said he would not get married until he first took care of the family.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday praised the martyr on Twitter, describing men like him as Emiratis who “many generations can be proud of”.
Ahmad Abbas, a cousin of Al Baloushi, who also works in the same Civil Defence force exclusively serving the airport, said he was the last person from the family to speak with him. “I had called him shortly before the incident, saying ‘let’s meet up soon’. I was on my way to work when I heard about the incident and called him multiple times. But there was no answer.
“When I showed up at work, I learnt he had been martyred. Jasim was the go-to person when anyone needed help. On Wednesday, he made the highest sacrifice in the line of duty.”
Abbas added: “He never feared any danger when helping others. I remember how he used to always say: ‘O Abbas, let us pray to become martyrs in our duty’.”
According to Abbas, a part of the aircraft flew off in the blaze, which hit Al Baloushi on the head, leading to his death.
Sulaiman Musa, who identified himself as a person “from the same family”, also praised Al Baloushi, saying he was always keen to help others. “He saved some people in a road accident once. He would also go around ensuring people had a decent meal at the end of the day’s fast during Ramadan. Jasim always took the initiative to offer assistance. We miss him and feel proud of his sacrifice,” Musa added.
