ABU DHABI // Workers at the Mina fish market yesterday described the chaotic scenes when a fuel tank on a fishing boat exploded, sparking a fire that burnt five vessels and left four men in hospital.
"We saw people in the water screaming. Two of them were pulled out and looked hurt," said Maher, a Jordanian who works at a nearby restaurant.
"It was hard to tell how hurt they were because their blood had mixed with the water."
He rushed out see what had happened when he heard the explosion just before 8pm on Sunday.
"The fire was big but no one was scared," Maher said. "We all wanted to know what happened."
Witnesses said the explosion occurred as one of the five fishing boats was refuelling at the petrol station near the market.
The fire spread to four other vessels before it could be contained.
Four men, believed to be from Kerala, were taken to hospital after the force of the blast threw them into the water.
All of the boats involved were small, two-man vessels measuring about 15ft.
Many fishermen were thankful that the fire did not spread to the nearby dhows on which many of them live.
"We were worried that the fire would spread to our dhows," said one. "They would have set alight even quicker but luckily the boats were not close enough for the fire to spread."
The owner of a nearby shop said that firefighters needed about 15 minutes to control the fire after arriving at the scene about 10 minutes after the explosion.
Col Mohammed Al Nuaimi, the general manager of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, said the fire was reported at 7.55pm.
"We moved instantly, Civil Defence in Mina and Mina Road, and an ambulance," Col Al Nuaimi said. "We worked together to control the fire that had spread in five fishing boats, all stationary on the Mina port."
He stressed the importance of fire-prevention measures and regular maintenance for boat owners, and said police were still investigating what caused the fuel tank to explode.
Yesterday, three police cars were at the scene, which was surrounded by tape. Officers were questioning boat owners and refused to comment.
The burnt-out fishing boats had not been moved.
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Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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