A devastating road accident near Shahama on the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway claimed the lives of three minor siblings and their domestic worker in the early hours of Sunday.
The family, originally from Kizhisseri in Kerala’s Malappuram district, was returning to Dubai after attending the Liwa Festival when their vehicle lost control and overturned.
Social worker sources identified the deceased children as Ashaz (14), Ammaar (12), and Ayyash (5), sons of Abdul Latheef and Ruksana. Their domestic worker, Bushra, also died in the accident. All four victims died instantly.
The parents, Abdul Latheef and Ruksana, along with their two other children, Ezzaa (10) and Azzam (7), sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi, where one child remains in critical condition.
News of the tragedy spread quickly, prompting relatives, friends, and members of the Indian expatriate community to gather at the hospital to support the grieving family. The family has decided to bury the children in Abu Dhabi itself, though special permission is required under UAE regulations. Funeral arrangements and repatriation of the maid’s remains are underway.
Abu Dhabi Police have yet to release an official statement on the cause of the accident. However, the incident adds to a growing list of road tragedies involving expatriates in the Gulf region. The accident has reignited concerns about road safety and long-distance travel risks, particularly during peak holiday periods.
