Seven Emirati children suffocated to death after a fire engulfed their house this morning in the emirate of Fujairah have been laid to rest.
The children belonged to one family.
It is one of the biggest fire-related tragedies in recent times in UAE.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted:
"We mourn today death of seven Emirati children in a house fire. Our heartfelt condolences to the people of the UAE on the death of Shoq, Khalifa, Ahmad, Ali, Shaikha, Sarah and Samia, the sons and daughters of Saeed Al Suraidi. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Whatever harms the children of the UAE harms the entire nation. May God rest their souls rest in Paradise."
"We have instructed the UAE’s Civil Defence to ensure immediately that all necessary fire alarm systems are installed in homes of Emiratis. The systems link all Emirati homes directly with the civil defence. The government will bear the costs of the systems for those who cannot afford it. Citizens are our most valuable treasure. They are the life of our nation. The safety and security of Emiratis and all those who work in our government is a priority."
According to initial information, the blaze was caused by the explosion of an air-conditioner in their house located in Deba Al-Fujairah.
Deba Al-Fujairah director Obaid Al-Khadim confirmed to Emarat Al-Youm the death of seven siblings aged 5 to 13, four girls and three boys.
The youngest victims were twin sisters aged 5 years old.
The distressed mother reported the fire at 5.45 AM this morning to the police, saying that her children were trapped inside the house.
All the brothers and sisters had already died when the police patrols and civil defence units reached the house which was on fire.
An inquiry was launched at the scene of the disaster to investigate the causes of the fire which shattered a whole family.