DUBAI // Six Iranian men on-board a sinking boat were rescued on Thursday morning.
Maj Ali Al Naqbi, director of the maritime rescue department at Dubai Police, said that the incident was reported at 6.35am and an air unit was immediately dispatched to the scene.
“The helicopter was able to locate the men on a wooden boat about 15 to 16 miles [24 to 26km] off Dubai’s shore,” he said.
“In the meantime, a rescue boat was en-route and lifted the men on board to safety.”
The helicopter filmed footage of the rescue, which police uploaded to their social media accounts.
Maj Al Naqbi added that the boat, which was taking an international trading route, was heading from Dubai to Iran, carrying various food products and that the search and rescue units are always prepared for such incidents.
None of the men were injured and the cause of the sinking is unknown but Maj Al Naqbi did say that often these types of wooden boats are not well-maintained.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
