7-year-old boy drowns after car is swept away in Hatta flood

The car was swept away and caught in Ghubrah valley during the thunderstorm that battered the country and caused mass flooding on Wednesday.

Abdullah Al Bedwawi, 7, drowned after being trapped in a car caught in floods in Hatta. Courtesy Al Bedwawi family

DUBAI // A seven-year-old boy drowned after he was trapped in a car caught in floods in Hatta.

The vehicle was swept away in the Ghubrah valley during the thunderstorm that battered the country and flooded many parts of the UAE on Wednesday.

A B, was travelling with his two brothers, K B and S B, who managed to escape, but were unable to save their younger brother from the submerged car, said a family member.

The brothers tried repeatedly to rescue their trapped sibling, the family member said, but the pressure of the water submerging the vehicle overpowered them.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene and transported the child to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A funeral was held after evening prayers at Hatta mosque, and A B was buried at the Wa’ab Al Aqer cemetery in Hatta.

Wednesday’s storm caused flooding across the emirates leading to the evacuations of buildings as well as the destruction of property, school closures and impassable roads.

Last month, an Emirati woman and her three children drowned after their SUV was swept away during a flash flood in Ras Al Khaimah.

Authorities urged residents to steer clear of mountain areas, valleys and dams during “unstable weather”.