Siblings aged 10 and 7 years drown in Oman

Muscat: Two siblings, aged 10 and 7 years, drowned while they were swimming off a beach in the wilayat of Khabourah on Thursday evening, according to Royal Oman Police (ROP).

According to the ROP, the Coast Guard Police, along with concerned citizens, swiftly responded to the emergency and managed to recover the bodies. The children were identified as Waqas Al Farsi and Faris Al Farsi.

Drowning cases among children in Oman continue despite warnings and campaigns from the authorities that advise parents to take care of their children when they go into the sea or wadis.

Around 166 drowning cases were registered in 2023 compared to 324 in 2022– Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) said.

Children make up the majority of drowning victims as they are often not strong enough to swim against powerful currents.

Parents often leave their children to swim alone, prompting the CDAA to organise several campaigns to warn parents against negligent behaviour.

An official at the CDAA told Gulf News that the highest number of cases were handled during the summer months as many people were on holiday.

The official added that such cases occur because people do not take precautions.

“Many of them enter the sea or wadis even if they do not know how to swim. Many go swimming during high tides and in the areas marked unsafe,” he said.

The official advised the public to pay attention to weather forecasts and not to venture into wadis and the sea.