Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded last Friday in the Sidrouh neighbourhood of old Ras Al Khaimah, as a two-year-old boy, Abdullah Mohammed Mohammed Ali, lost his life after drowning in a bucket of water at his family’s home.
The toddler, a Pakistani national and the youngest of four siblings, was found unresponsive in a water-filled bucket that had been left unattended in the kitchen.
Despite the family’s immediate response and the efforts of emergency services, Abdullah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Saqr Government Hospital.
According to medical sources, the child was already deceased by the time he reached the hospital. The tragic incident has left the family and local community in deep shock and mourning.
The boy’s father, Mohammed Mohammed Ali, recounted the devastating moment to local media. He explained that the incident occurred while he was away attending Friday prayers.
During that time, Abdullah managed to enter the kitchen where the bucket, typically used for washing clothes by his wife, had been left uncovered for the first time.
“My wife always covered the bucket after using it,” he told Al Khaleej. “But that one time, it was left open. None of us saw what happened until it was too late.”
The family’s home is situated near Kuwaiti Street, behind the old directorate building in central Ras Al Khaimah. The neighbourhood, one of the oldest in the emirate, is known for its close-knit community. The tragedy has sent ripples of grief through both the local area and the family’s extended network in Pakistan.
Neighbours expressed their sorrow and disbelief over the incident. “It’s hard to imagine such a young, playful child gone so suddenly,” said a family friend. “Everyone in the community is heartbroken.”
Drowning incidents involving small children are sadly not uncommon, especially in households where open water sources are within reach.
Child safety experts urge parents and guardians to never leave buckets, bathtubs, or other containers of water unattended and to keep such items out of the reach of children. Even a few inches of water can be fatal to a toddler.
Authorities have not indicated any further investigation into the incident at this stage, describing it as a tragic household accident.
However, the case has once again highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness about home safety practices, particularly in households with young children.
The family is now preparing to repatriate Abdullah’s body for burial in Pakistan, where other relatives are also grieving. Community members in Ras Al Khaimah have offered condolences and support, with many visiting the family home to pay their respects.
As the new year begins, the tragic loss of Abdullah serves as a somber reminder of how quickly an ordinary day can turn into a nightmare. His grieving family now faces the difficult journey of mourning the loss of a life that had just begun.