Dubai dad let daughter drown, rather than be touched by 'strange' rescuer

DUBAI (Web Desk) - A father of a 20-year-old girl let his daughter drown, stopping life guards from rescuing her, the Emirates247 reported on Sunday.

He preferred that his daughter die rather than she be touched by a strange man, according to a top official.

Lt Col Ahmed Burqibah, Deputy Director of Dubai Police’s Search and Rescue Department, has said the incident took place at a beach in Dubai.

“This is one of the incidents which I cannot forget. It shocked me and many others who were involved in the case. The Asian father took his wife and kids to the beach for picnic and fun. The kids were swimming in the beach when suddenly, the 20-year-old girl started drowning and screaming for help.

“Two rescue men were at the beach, and they rushed to help the girl. However, there was one obstacle which prevented them from reaching the girl and helping her. This obstacle was the belief of this Asian man who considered that if these men touched his daughter, then this would dishonour her. It cost him the life of his daughter.”

Burqibah added the father of the girl did not want the rescue men to touch his daughter as they were strange men.

“The father was a tall and strong man. He started pulling and preventing the rescue men and got violent with them. He told them that he prefers his daughter being dead than being touched by a strange man.”

He pointed out that this delay and fight with the girl’s father cost the girl her life.

“She died unfortunately, at a time when she had a chance to live, especially that the rescue men were so close to her to pull her out of the water.”

Lt Col Burqibah added that the girl’s father was later arrested by Dubai Police for stopping the rescue team from saving his daughter’s life and doing their job.

“He was prosecuted and sued by the concerned authorities.”