SHARJAH // Two men drowned while five others had to be rescued at sea in two separate incidents off the coast of Sharjah on Friday.
The body of one of the men, a Somali in his twenties, was recovered by search and rescue teams on Saturday morning.
He had gone missing while swimming with an Egyptian friend, who had been rescued after the incident was reported off Al Khan beach at about 12.30pm on Friday.
Six hours later another drowning was reported to police off Al Hamriya Beach. Four men, from India and Syria, were rescued and transported to hospitals in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, while a Syrian man was pronounced dead, police said.
Sharjah Police said more residents and tourists visiting the emirate’s beaches as temperatures cool, which has led to a spike in drowning incidents.
They urged beachgoers to abide by rules displayed on signs at beaches and to swim only in designated places. They also warned beachgoers to avoid swimming during rough weather or swimming in deep waters.
The drownings followed the rescue of two Emirati men in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday, after their vehicle fell into the sea. Beachgoers saved the men, aged 32 and 35, from drowning after they escaped from the vehicle through the windows.
Col Hasan Ibrahim, deputy director of RAK Police, said that the men had been driving in an area with no road barriers. Police and maritime rescue teams recovered the vehicle.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Racecard
5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m
6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
