Two 12-year-old Pakistani friends lost their lives last Saturday after drowning at the Old Corniche beach in Ras Al Khaimah. The accident has deeply affected their families and the wider community, as many mourn the sudden loss. The heartbreaking incident is now being remembered as the Ras Al Khaimah drowning tragedy, which happened near the family’s shop and shocked everyone who knew the boys.
The father of one of the children, Omar Asif Mohammed Asif, said that his son and his friend, Hammad Asif, went to the beach without telling anyone. Omar had visited the beach only once before and had never been swimming there. His father shared that he had often refused Omar’s requests to go to the sea because he feared the dangers after hearing of previous drowning cases in the area.
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The father, who has lived in the UAE for 22 years, explained that he has two sons: Omar, the older boy who passed away, and a younger son who survived the incident. Their family owns a mobile phone shop in the Dehan neighbourhood, close to where the tragedy occurred around 5 pm. CCTV footage from a nearby shop showed the three boys walking together shortly before the incident.
He learned about the drowning from a neighbour near the shop and immediately tried calling his son’s phone. Someone at the beach told him that Omar had been taken to Saqr Hospital. He rushed there hoping for good news, but sadly, Omar had already passed away. Omar’s body was recovered on Saturday evening, while Hammad’s was found the next morning.
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The father said he accepts the loss as God’s will and added that none of the children knew how to swim. He also thanked the Ras Al Khaimah Police for their efforts in trying to save the boys. The community continues to express grief and support for the families affected by the Ras Al Khaimah drowning tragedy.