A tragic accident at the Dubai Dry Docks on Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of eight workers and left many others missing. The incident occurred when a crucial watertight gate malfunctioned, causing a torrent of seawater to engulf the dock where multiple crews were engaged in ship maintenance.
According to a statement released by Dubai Drydocks company, two panels of Dock Gate No. 2 ruptured around 9:00 AM local time, breaching the flood defenses and permitting a large volume of water to surge into the dock basin. The uncontrolled flooding continued for over an hour, submerging the dockyard and tragically trapping a number of workers.
Emergency response teams along with Dubai Police and the military were swiftly deployed to the scene. Rescue workers battled the floodwaters in an effort to locate survivors, while helicopters provided aerial assistance. Sadly, despite their valiant efforts, eight workers were confirmed dead.
The cause of the catastrophic failure of Dock Gate No. 2 remains under investigation by the Drydock Safety Department. The compromised gate allowed seawater to flood the dockyard at an alarming rate, overwhelming workers and hindering rescue efforts.
Five vessels that were undergoing maintenance within the dock sustained varying degrees of damage. A 57, 000-ton oil tanker, a cargo ship, two barges, and an oil rig were all impacted by the incident. The extent of the damage is currently being assessed.
The identities of the deceased workers have not yet been released. However, officials have confirmed that the fatalities included a mix of nationalities, with a significant number believed to be from India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. The respective embassies of these countries are working closely with Dubai authorities to identify the victims and contact their families.
The Dubai Dry Docks incident has cast a shadow over the maritime industry, raising concerns about safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance at such facilities. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and the findings are expected to be crucial in preventing similar tragedies in the future.