Family of mother and children killed in RAK flash flood speak of grief

Amna Al Jabiri, a mother of six, was travelling with her husband Ali Al Kindi and three youngest children Moza, 11, Mansour, 6, and three-year-old Fazaa, 3, to watch the thunderstorm that lashed rural areas in the south of Ras Al Khaimah on Wednesday.

Fazaa Al Kindi, 3, was killed in a flash flood in Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy Al Kindi family

FUJAIRAH // The bodies of the three children who were washed away during a flash flood in Ras Al Khaimah on Wednesday afternoon were found in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The children, Moza, 11, Mansour, 6, and their three-year-old brother Fazaa, were buried at a cemetery in Wadi Mai yesterday along with their mother, Amna Al Jabiri, who also drowned.

The three youngsters had joined their mother and father, Ali Al Kindi, to watch the thunderstorm that was lashing rural areas in the south of Ras Al Khaimah.

The family had left their home at Wadi Mai at about 3pm and drove to the Wadi Al Qor valley. But their car was caught up in fast-moving flood waters.

As the car filled with water, the family scrambled out through the sunroof, but the children were swept away by the torrent.

Police were able to locate the car with help from residents. The children’s bodies were recovered hours later after a search. Moza’s body was found at 11 that evening. The body of her brother Mansour was found at 3.30am on Thursday and Fazaa three hours later.

Amna, who had three other children, had already been found and taken to Al Munaiey Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7pm.

Relatives yesterday told of their shock and grief.

Rashed Al Kindi said he received a call from his brother-in-law Ali at 5pm to tell them his wife and children had drowned.

“The incident was shocking. Ali was crying and saying his wife had passed away and they couldn’t find the children. We took off right away to Wadi Al Qor to be beside Ali and to help with the search,” said Mr Al Kindi.

“They went to see the hail and left their other three children at home. The car engine stopped working at a point in the middle of the valley where more than one water stream crosses.

“The water filled the car and they jumped from the roof of the car. The water was running fast and they were swept away by the current.

“Ali latched on to a tree branch to try to save his family but he couldn’t.”

Fatima Al Kindi, Ali’s niece, said she still could not believe what had happened. “My little cousins and their mother are gone. Moza was their only daughter and was loved by all of us. She was calm and clever,” she said.

“I cry for them and for the rest of the family. My poor three cousins, Mayed, Zayed and Haza have lost their mother, sister and two brothers in one day. My mind can’t handle it and I pray for them,” the 19-year-old said.

Mayed, 18, Zayed, 16 and Haza, 15, are being cared for by their relatives.