A young child has died after drowning in a rainwater accumulation in Sharjah, with authorities calling on families to keep closer watch over their children following the tragedy.
Sharjah Police received the distress call at 7:05 a.m. on Wednesday. Rescue teams arrived at the scene and administered first aid before transporting the child to hospital, where he later died.
Rainwater pools carry risks that are easy to underestimate, police said, citing unpredictable depths, unstable mud beneath the surface, and the likelihood of sudden slips as factors that elevate drowning danger beyond what parents or children might expect. The same hazards apply to swollen valleys and flooded areas, which authorities explicitly warned families to keep away from.
Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Organisation, pointed to the particular dangers that arise when weather changes or temporary water accumulations appear in otherwise familiar surroundings. “Child safety is a shared responsibility that begins within the family and extends across the wider community. It is not limited to specific situations, but spans everyday environments that may appear safe yet present unforeseen risks—particularly during changing weather conditions or when temporary water accumulations and unregulated play areas emerge, as recent incidents have underscored the importance of prevention and vigilance,” she said.
Al Yafei acknowledged the tension between protecting children and allowing them room to develop. “Children are naturally curious and inclined to explore and play, making attentive supervision essential, alongside ongoing awareness of their whereabouts. It is equally important to provide safe environments that support their development without restricting their freedom to learn, while equipping them to recognise potential risks across different settings, whether in residential neighbourhoods or open spaces,” she added.
Police extended condolences to the child’s family and urged community members to report situations that put children at risk by calling 901 for non-emergency concerns or 999 for emergencies.
