Girl, 12, dies after falling from Sharjah building

This is the second such fatality to occur in the emirate in as many weeks.

SHARJAH // A 12-year-old girl has died after falling from the balcony of her parents’ third-storey apartment.

Shalina Sanjay, who was in Grade 6 at the Indian Excellent Private School, is believed to have been alone at her home in Al Naba’ah when she fell.

Shalina is the second child to die after falling from a Sharjah balcony in just over a week.

A seven-year-old boy died when he fell eight floors from the balcony of his family's home. The boy, who was also on his own at the time, had been trying to feed pigeons.

Shalina, who fell on Tuesday, was thought to be climbing on to a wooden chair before she fell. Her body will be taken to the police forensic lab for examination before being released to the family.

Last year, four children were killed or seriously injured after falling from windows or balconies, prompting Sharjah Municipality to launch an awareness campaign to inform parents and carers about child safety.

Col Sultan Abdullah, of Sharjah Police, urged parents to not leave children unattended in the home and to lock all windows and balconies to prevent these kinds of accidents.