(attempts to rescue victims at Mughsayl yesterday)
This has been a bad couple of weeks. Five more people were killed in a car accident a couple of days ago in Dhofar, and yesterday two people drowned in Mughsayl while three others were rescued at the same location. One person (a UAE national) died at the hospital, and the missing body is also a UAE national.
(tragedy watching - a hobby in this part of the world)
No offence to the dead, but seriously?! Swimming during monsoon?!!! There are signs everywhere on all beaches saying 'Swimming is dangerous from MAY to OCTOBER'. The undercurrents are just too dangerous. You've seen what the waves have done to the beach road in Salalah. You think they can't drag your body down as well? NEVER underestimate the strength of the ocean.
Complete disregard to clear warnings and other safety measures. Who is to blame when people are suicidal at land and sea? Just themselves.
ReplyDeleteMti
Too bad these people also put the lives of the rescuers at risk....
ReplyDeletethat's their job
DeleteI'm sure Civil Defence, the Coast Guard and RAFO (these were the rescuers according to the newspaper) also have other important things to do besides risking their lives rescuing irresponsible idiots who go swimming during Khareef!
DeleteWhy not make survivors pay the cost for the rescue operation!
DeleteYes, so often it has been brave and selfless Omanis who have gone in to rescue such fools who have - so sadly - paid with their lives
ReplyDeleteJust normal people who have heroically lost their lives time and time again in the khareef seas, as it goes. Are you seriously suggesting that this is a worthwhile cause for those in the rescue services to die for? Such people are brain dead. You can tell from their driving...
DeleteThe thought of it makes me shudder. I never underestimate the power of the ocean. In fact, it scares the h*** out of me when it's rough!
ReplyDeleteI was so disapointed when we were knocked us off our flight to Salalah during Eid, because they had overbooked the seats. Now I give a big thanks Oman Air - it sounds like you did us a big favour. What is going ON down there? And is there any hope of it coming to an end?!
ReplyDeleteMaybe "dangerous" just sounds like a challenge to some. Perhaps if they replaced that with "swimming forbidden - fine OR 100", the psychology of it would be different!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Civil Defence have limited equipment for the purpose too, but we all have to take responsibility for ourselves.
very good comment
ReplyDeleteSwimming forbidden 100 omr fine would cure the problem???
ReplyDeleteObviously the speeding fines ensures that no one exceeds the speed limit
Still, he was right in suggesting that, in the minds of some, those notices may just be a red rag to a bull. They are certainly unsightly...
ReplyDeleteI think TLS has a point! People underestimate the 'danger'. The waves don't always looks so big or terrible here - it's the invisible undercurrents that are the problem (and outsiders may be unaware of these). Introducing a fine system could be a good idea - but only if it's enforced - and there we end up with the same problems discussed in the other thread about dangerous driving. Fines for speeding don't work because of wasta and also because the fines are far too small to have any real impact or be a deterrant.
ReplyDeleteimpose a flat entry fee for all foreign tourists to dhofar during peak season, charged at the airport or along land routes. At least until infrastructure and accomodation can cope.
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestion, plus punitive policing
ReplyDeletewell you could also consider that perhaps some of these ppl who are dying couldnt read the sign bc its only written in arabic and english and some ppl come from other countries who dont understand either language bc they're from villages etc uneducated
ReplyDelete