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Calls for greater safety awareness at sea have intensified following the tragic drowning of 49-year-old Bahraini national Hani AlKhunaizi.
His body was recovered in the Khor Fasht marine area yesterday morning after he and his friend Murtadha Abudrees went missing on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on X.
The forensic report cited drowning as the cause of death, and the Public Prosecution has been notified.
Mr Abudrees was saved from the water on Saturday with the help of a passing seafarer, Coastguard and the police, the statement added.
Khor Fasht is a coral reef in the north-west of Bahrain’s territorial waters, located south of Fasht Al Jarim, and is home to a variety of marine species.
“Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the family; this is a very tragic incident,” Royal life Saving Bahrain (RLSB) general manager Sam Rahman told the GDN yesterday.
“Although we don’t have all the details, I always advise people to take proper safety precautions whenever entering the water. Wearing a life jacket, avoiding going out alone and letting someone know your location are vital steps because should an emergency situation arise, it will be easier for people to locate you,” he added.
He also advised people to learn first-aid skills so they can help if someone falls unconscious, not only in the water, but anywhere.
“Quick action can make a huge difference to someone’s chance of survival.”
Mr Rahman added that only 50 per cent of Bahrain’s population knows how to swim and that more awareness was needed to encourage people to sign up for lessons.
RLSB provides a range of courses and lessons to teach all age groups how to be confident in the water.
Mr AlKhunaizi is survived by his paternal uncles Abdulkarim, Husain, Abdali, Abdulnabi, Abduljalil and Abdulhadi.
His funeral will be held today, and the family will receive condolences until Wednesday – at Ma’atam Alsamakeen in Manama for men, and at Ma’atam bin Aman for women.
The GDN previously reported two drowning incidents in June – a 23-year-old boy who died while swimming in Mahooz and a two-year-old Bahraini boy who drowned off Budaiya beach.
Meanwhile, the RLSB is set to begin a lifeguard training course starting in November for 15 Bahrainis.
The Future Lifeguard Training Programme and Lifeguard Development Programme will be run in co-operation with Tamkeen, and is set to conclude in February next year.
Spanning three months, the aim is to recruit Bahraini lifeguards and develop their swimming and lifesaving skills.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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