DAMMAM: A four-year-old boy drowned in a swamp in the King Fahd residential suburb of Dammam on Sunday afternoon, triggering anger among residents against the authorities concerned.
Yassin Al-Shammari said his son Abdulaziz lost his life because of the indifferent attitude of the Dammam Municipality toward swamps in the area, despite complaints by residents.
“I will sue those responsible for the death of my son,” he told local media.
Only last year, a two-year-old girl, Fatima, died after falling into a swamp near her family home in the same neighborhood, raising much hue and cry from residents.
Abdulaziz’s funeral drew a large number of people to Al-Furqan Mosque on Sunday afternoon, who protested that marshes and swamps around their homes have been leading to the spread of diseases and also threatening the lives of children.
The child’s father said complaints were filed about the harm the swamps inflict on the residents, but no action was taken by the municipality.
Al-Shammari said his son went missing, and upon searching for him in the neighborhood and informing the police to assist in locating him, he received a call from his wife, who said she saw him floating in the swamp near their home from the window of their home.
“Abdulaziz’s life is more precious than any monetary compensation. I will be devastated for the rest of my life,” he said.
Al-Shammari said the family was especially cautious about the child leaving the house alone, but somehow he managed to get outside on that fateful day.
EP child drowns in swamp, father plans legal action
EP child drowns in swamp, father plans legal action
