Fujairah: Seven children of an Emirati family died of suffocation after a fire broke out in their house in Rul Dadna district here early on Monday, Fujairah Police confirmed to Gulf News.
This unfortunate incident is one of the biggest fire-related tragedies, the country has seen in recent times.
Follow the live coverage here: (With Inputs from Aghaddir Ali, Shafaat Shahbandari, Staff reporters and Ahmed Ramzan, Photographer)
Updates:
Mohammad Bin Zayed orders support for Al Suraidi mother
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ordered providing all necessary care and support for grieving mother of the seven Al Suraidi children who died in a fire that broke out in their home in Fujairah.
Shaikh Mohammad also ordered following-up on all the needs of the mother and family. He also wished her a speedy recovery.
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his profound sadness over the incident and heartfelt condolences to Al Suraidi family.
2.56pm
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted:
"We mourn today death of seven Emirati children in a house fire. Our heartfelt condolences to the people of the UAE on the death of Shoq, Khalifa, Ahmad, Ali, Shaikha, Sarah and Samia, the sons and daughters of Saeed Al Suraidi. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Whatever harms the children of the UAE harms the entire nation. May God rest their souls rest in Paradise."
"We have instructed the UAE’s Civil Defence to ensure immediately that all necessary fire alarm systems are installed in homes of Emiratis. The systems link all Emirati homes directly with the civil defence. The government will bear the costs of the systems for those who cannot afford it. Citizens are our most valuable treasure. They are the life of our nation. The safety and security of Emiratis and all those who work in our government is a priority."
Following a tragic house fire that led to the death of seven children from the same family in Fujairah, @HHShkMohd directs the #UAE Civil Defense to immediately install fire alarm systems in every citizen’s home at the expense of government for those who can’t afford it.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 22, 2018
وجهنا الْيَوْمَ الدفاع المدني بالدولة التأكد بشكل عاجل من وجود أنظمة للحماية من الحرائق متصلة مع الدفاع المدني مباشرة في كافة بيوت المواطنين . على أن تتحمل الحكومة تكلفتها لمن لا يستطيع . المواطن أغلى ما نملك. وحياته حياة للوطن . وأمنه وسلامته اولوية لنا ولكافة من يعمل في حكومتنا
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 22, 2018
فجعنا الْيَوْمَ بوفاة سبعة من أطفالنا في حادث حريق منزلي .. تعازينا الحارة لشعب الإمارات في وفاة شوق وخليفة وأحمد وعلي وشيخة وسارة وسمية أبناء سعيد الصريدي . إنَّا لله وانا اليه راجعون .
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 22, 2018
مصابنا في أطفالنا وأكبادنا مصاب الوطن كله .
في الفردوس مثواكم ان شاء الله .
2.39pm
Relatives and villagers offer their condolences to the children's grandfather, Mohammad Saeed.
2.30pm
All seven children have now been lowered into their graves.
2.16pm
بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله، وببالغ الحزن والأسى تلقينا ببالغ التأثر نبأ وفاة ٧ من أبناء أسرة الصريدي في حادث اختناق في الفجيرة، وبهذا المصاب نشاطر ذوي الاسرة مشاعر الحزن والألم، معربين عن تعازينا ومواساتنا القلبية لهم، داعين الله أن يمن على المتوفين بالرحمة ويلهم أهلهم الصبر والسلوان
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 22, 2018
"We are deeply saddened by the news regarding the suffocation of seven children from the Al Saridi family in Fujairah. We share the grief and sorrow of the family, and express our heartfelt condolences to them. May Allah rest the souls of the children in Paradise and grant the family solace and patience."
2.15pm
The burial process has begun; the youngest of the girls is being lowered to her grave.
2.06pm
Bodies being lowered for burial now.
1.59pm
The bodies of the victims are being brought to the funeral venue.
1.46pm
The wait continues, apparently there is some delay and this might take a while.
1.40pm
'Biggest tragedy to hit this part of country'
Hundreds have converged here at the Rul Dadna graveyard, waiting for the bodies to arrive. Villagers and residents from the neighbouring towns who have gathered here are visibly shaken. This is the biggest tragedy to hit this part of the country, a resident told Gulf News. Many people from neighbouring emirates and Oman are also here to offer their condolences.
1.20pm
People heading for funeral prayers
Scores of vehicles are heading to the graveyard, where the funeral prayers will be held. Many people are also seen walking towards graveyard for the funeral prayer.
Funeral prayers are normally held in the mosque, but due to the number of bodies and large turnout of mourners, the authorities have decided to hold the prayers at the graveyard.
12.55pm
Mother woke up to see room full of smoke
The children’s mother arrived yesterday from Thailand, where she had gone for treatment. She woke up at 3am for an injection and when she came out of her room she could only see smoke.
She immediately alerted the neighbours and relatives. The smoke was so bad, nobody could enter the room to save the children. By the time emergency personnel arrived, the children were already dead.
WATCH: Abdullah Rashid, a cousin of the deceased describes how the tragedy struck
12.35pm
Mother left to mourn the death of her children
The tragedy has wiped out the entire family, except the mother. The children’s father died a couple of years back. The house where the funeral is being held is the ancestral home of the children’s grandfather.
12.25pm
Statement issued
Ministry of Education issued a statement mourning the death of the students. The ministry expressed condolences to the family of the seven sibling who suffocated to death after fire erupted at their house
Names and details of the children are:
Shouk Saeed Rabiaa ,Grade 8, Al Raheeb school
Khalifa Saeed Rabiaa,Grade 7, Anas bin Al Nadhair school
Ahmad Saeed Rabiaa,Grade 5, Dhadna school
Shaikha Saeed Rabiaa,Grade 4, Al Ma’rifa school
Ali Saeed Rabiaa, Grade 3, Dhadna school
Sara Saeed Rabiaa, KG1, Al Dana kindergarten
Sumaiya h Saeed Rabiaa,KG1, Al Dana kindergarten.
12.17pm
We have learnt that the bodies have been brought from the hospital to the house of a relative.
Police and forensic officials are now examining the scene of the accident.
12.12pm
Rul Dadna is a small village near Dibba Fujairah on the east coast of the UAE. Villagers and relatives are gathering here to offer their condolences
12.05
Three ambulances have arrived here but it’s not clear bodies have been returned home so far.
Video of the victims' house
12.00pm
Funeral prayers have been postponed, Gulf News has learnt.
Relatives and locals from the surrounding villages are arriving here in Rul Dadna.
11.40am
Gulf News reporter and photographer at the accident site. Police have cordoned off the area.
10.17am
The siblings — four girls and three boys — were aged between five to 13-years-old, according to authorities.
Among the victims were five-year-old twins Sara and Sumaiyah. The deceased belonged to Al Suraidi family.
Major General Mohammad Ganem Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police, confirmed the incident to Gulf News.
Video of the victims' house
Major General Al Kaabi said police received call from the children’s mother at 5.40am saying there was fire in her house and her children were inside.
Brigadier Ali Al Tunaiji, Director General of Fujairah Civil Defence, told Gulf News that they received reports about a fire incident in a house at 5.40am.
The fire damaged part of the house. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire though short-circuit is suspected.
Video of the victims' house
Police and emergency workers found the children motionless and their bodies were moved to Dibba Fujairah hospital.
Obeid Khudem, Director of Dibba Fujairah hospital, said that emergency workers brought seven Emirati children and confirmed they died of suffocation.
The funeral prayers will be held in Rol Dhadna mosque, after Dhuhr Prayer and they will be buried in Rol Dhadna cemetery.
More details to follow.
