Swimmers rescued in Dubai after being dragged by strong current

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Swimmers rescued in Dubai after being dragged by strong current Last week UAE weather forecasters predicted that temperatures would drop further in the coming days Police rescuers saved the lives of five friends who almost drowned while swimming off the beach at Umm Suqiem. Dubai Police said that, on Monday, they were called to help five Asian men who got into trouble in strong currents. “It was 3.30pm when we received a call about the friends being carried away from the beach and they were yelling for help,” said Major Ali Al Naqbi, head of the maritime rescue department at Dubai Police. “Some people saw what happened and contacted us.” Sea patrols rushed to the scene and rescued the swimmers within six minutes, Al Naqbi said. RELATED: Rescuers save drowning swimmer in Dubai “They were friends and one of them went far from the sea and the others followed trying to rescue him, but the waves carried them and they had almost drowned when we reached them,” he added. Four of the friends suffered minor injuries and were treated on the beach while the fifth was transferred to Rashid Hospital. Al Naqbi urged the swimmers to be careful and avoid going too far from the shore. “It’s important not to swim for more than 300 to 500m off the beach as it’s risky because of currents,” he said. “There is also the danger of jet skis.” The incident came after a police rescue boat crew saved the life of a school principal who almost drowned while swimming off Jumeirah Beach earlier at the weekend. Officers said the man, who is in his 50s, was at the beach with family and friends when he swam too far from shore and became fatigued. Police said when rescue officers on jet skis got to the man, he had stopped breathing and had no pulse. “Our rescue crew used a defibrillator to kick-start the man’s heart,” Al Naqbi said. Last week UAE weather forecasters predicted that temperatures would drop further in the coming days. Swimmers were told to expect rough seas and to take note of the conditions. ali.shouk@7days.ae Read the original story at: Swimmers rescued in Dubai after being dragged by strong current