Five employees at a hotel in Al Barsha Heights, Dubai, have been handed two-month suspended jail sentences and fined Dh10,000 each, following the tragic drowning of a three-year-old Emirati girl in an unmonitored adult swimming pool on August 2 last year.
The young victim accessed the adult’s pool unnoticed, and her absence went undetected for six crucial minutes. The convicted employees, originating from Lebanon, Canada, Cameroon, and Uganda, include the hotel’s manager and two lifeguards.
The incident unfolded on a crowded day at the hotel. The child’s father reported that he was at the adult’s pool while his wife watched their children. Tragedy struck in a matter of minutes, leaving the family devastated.
The Dubai Court of Misdemeanours initially imposed a deportation penalty, which was later lifted by the Court of Appeal. Additionally, the Court of Appeal mandated a joint compensation payment of Dh200,000 to the bereaved family.
A post-incident examination revealed a breach of Dubai Municipality’s safety regulations. The absence of a barrier between the children’s play area and the adult’s pool, coupled with insufficient signage displaying the pool’s depth, were flagged as major safety concerns. The inspector noted a lack of vigilance by the lifeguards, further escalating the risks.
CCTV footage presented in court captured one of the lifeguards conversing with guests at the time of the incident. All defendants were charged with negligence and violating professional responsibilities, charges that they have denied.