Dubai: A fire-fighter was killed while responding to the situation at the Dubai International Airport following the emergency landing of Emirates airline flight EK521 on Wednesday, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed.
The statement said the firefighter lost his life while saving others. “On behalf of the General Civil Aviation Authority, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of deceased. I salute his ultimate sacrifice that kept many from harm’s way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” said Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA.
Gulf News has learned that the firefighter was Jasim Al Beloushi from Ras Al Khaimah.
A friend of Al Beloushi posted Al Beloushi’s photo on Instagram and wrote - in Arabic: “We belong to God and to God we shall return, death of firefighter Rashid Al Beloushi during the plane fire incident in Dubai. May God have mercy on him.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, offered his condolences for the firefighter who was martyred while attempting to put out the fire.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of firefighter Jasim Eisa Al Beloushi. May God grant his family and relatives solace and patience,” tweeted Shaikh Mohammad.
“As sad as we are over the passing of Jasim, we are also proud of our youths and their sacrifices while performing their duty in saving lives and rescuing people. The UAE has men that many generations can be proud of."
CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, said: "I am deeply saddened to confirm that a member of Dubai Airports’ firefighting team succumbed to injuries sustained whilst responding to the accident of flight EK 521 earlier this afternoon.
"We are doing all we can to support the family of this member of our team and others affected by the incident."
The GCAA confirmed that there were no fatalities among the 282 passengers or the 18 crew members on board.
The Emirates Flight EK 521 arriving from Trivandrum, India made an emergency landing at the Dubai International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
