Five rescued on second day of rough Dubai seas

At least five people were rescued from the sea at Jumeirah Beach Residence Open Beach in Dubai as high waves pounded the shore for the second day in a row.

Dubai // At least five people were rescued from the sea at Jumeirah Beach Residence Open Beach in Dubai on Saturday as high waves pounded the shore for the second day in a row.

Rescue Police stationed at the beach said two rescue operations were carried out on Saturday afternoon, including one incident where a group of four were struggling in the water.

Ambulances were called to the scene on both occasions but no one was taken to hospital, said one official.

The rescues mark the second day of bad weather after the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology issued a high waves warning, urging people to avoid swimming over the weekend.

However, the warning went largely unheeded.

Twelve people were pulled from the water on Friday on Umm Suqeim 1 Beach and JBR beaches, although none suffered major injuries.

A spokesman for Rashid Hospital confirmed no one had been sent to the hospital after being rescued.

Overcast weather and cool temperatures kept the majority of beachgoers out of the water yesterday. Some of those who did enter the water encountered difficulty.

"I saw a girl who was pulling herself out of the water," said beachgoer Alex Morvan. "She looked like she couldn't breathe and was having a bit of trouble."

Elsewhere, on Umm Suqeim 1 Beach, neighbouring the Burj al Arab hotel, police reported no incidents throughout the day.

"There is a strong current but it's pretty shallow," said Keir Lord, who went in for a swim earlier in the day. "As long as you don't go out too far, it should be OK."

The Central Forecasting Office of the National Centre Of Meteorology and Seismology said the cloudy weather would continue this week, with moderate winds and a slight increase in temperature.