Three drown in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah

Two teenage boys yesterday drowned in the Ajman Corniche, and only one of the bodies was recovered by late in the evening.

Police have yet to identify the victims, but said one was a Somali and the other Pakistani, both aged between 16-17 and residents of Ajman. The body of the Pakistani boy was recovered, the Operation Room at Ajman Police said.

Witnesses said both boys were swimming when they started to drown. The boys were fighting to stay afloat, but went down very fast. One witness said: "We saw them thrashing in the water and even before help could reach, the boys drowned around 11am.

The Civil Defence's rescue vehicle raced to the shore, while three Coast Guard boats also rushed to the spot. They scoured the water, but could not find the boys. Witnesses said there were no divers.

"The three boats searched the area for about 45 minutes and then spotted one body. The waves were very high and the sea was extremely rough. The boats also found it difficult to conduct rescue operations and they soon left."

Two boats came later and looked, but their efforts went in vain. The authorities also brought in a helicopter around 3pm, which hovered around the area and left.

Police sources said a number of accidents have occurred in that stretch of water which sees rough seas. An officer added: "The authorities should put up sign boards, warning people of choppy waters.

Police sources said a number of accidents have occurred in that stretch of water which sees rough seas. An officer added: "The authorities should put up sign boards, warning people of choppy waters. A number of people have drowned there. Something needs to be done immediately or these accidents will recur because most swimmers are children."

Ajman Municipality, however, refused to comment.

Meanwhile in Ras Al Khaimah, a UAE national fisherman drowned on Thursday night after his fibre-glass boat exploded off Al Muaireed beach.

The body was swept to the beach half-an hour after the accident. His companions, four Indian fishermen, managed to swim to the beach. Two of them received injuries.