Egyptian Hero Saves Two Young Girls from Drowning at Al Mamzar Beach
He Saved My Only Daughter: Father Thanks Egyptian Hero After Al Mamzar Beach Rescue
Sharjah: An evening at Al Mamzar Beach turned into a life-threatening emergency on Saturday when two young girls nearly drowned ā until a young Egyptian manās courage saved them both.
The rescuer, Qasem Mohamed Al Sayed Mahmoud, 25, had just finished work and stopped by the beach to relax when he heard desperate screams from the sea around 8:30 pm.
āI heard someone shouting for help, saying he couldnāt swim,ā Mahmoud recalled. āWithout a second thought, I threw my phone and car keys aside and ran straight into the sea.ā
A Race Against Time
The beach was crowded as panic spread. Two girls ā an eight-year-old Sudanese child and a four-year-old Mauritanian girl named Kulthum ā had wandered into deep water while their families were still setting up on the shore.
Mahmoud swam through the dark waters, first reaching the older girl and pulling her to safety. Then, spotting the younger one floating motionless, he dived back in.
āIt was very dark, and I couldnāt see her at first. When I finally did, she wasnāt moving,ā he said.
Standing 180 cm tall, Mahmoud described how even he couldnāt touch the seabed at the spot where the girls were found. āEven at my height, there was no ground beneath my feet,ā he explained.
Mahmoud immediately began CPR on both children until paramedics arrived. The older girl regained consciousness quickly, while Kulthum remained critical. Emergency crews from Sharjah Civil Defence and National Ambulance rushed both to Al Qassimi Hospital.
āI Thought I Had Lost My Daughter Foreverā
Kulthumās father, Mohammed Bu Baker, was overcome with emotion as he spoke about the terrifying incident. His wife, five months pregnant, had taken their daughter to the beach with neighbours while he was at work.
āThe girls ran into the water while their mothers were bringing chairs from the car,ā he said. āFour children went in, but only two got into trouble. Yaqeen, the older girl, tried to save my daughter but nearly drowned herself.ā
For two days, Kulthum was in critical condition.
āI thought I had lost my daughter forever,ā the father said, fighting back tears. āBut she woke up ā and today, she is safe at home. No words can describe my gratitude to Qasem. He is a true hero.ā
He expressed deep appreciation to Sharjah Police, Civil Defence, Al Qassimi Hospital, and National Ambulance for their quick, coordinated response.
āI have only one daughter, and my wife is pregnant. I plan to honour Qasem for his noble act ā he saved my daughterās and her friendās lives.ā
Both girls were discharged from hospital on Tuesday, fully recovered.
Sharjah Civil Defence Honours the Hero
In recognition of his bravery, Sharjah Civil Defence honoured Qasem Mahmoud with a certificate of appreciation on Tuesday.
Brigadier Yousif Obaid Harmoul Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, praised him, saying:
āSaving lives represents the highest form of national duty. Qasemās bravery reflects the community spirit and sense of responsibility that we strive to promote in Sharjah.ā
Civil Defence officials also visited the two young girls in hospital to check on their recovery.
A Lesson in Beach Safety
Authorities used the incident to remind families about beach safety.
āWe continue our efforts to raise awareness among families,ā Brig. Al Shamsi said. āChildren should never be left unattended near water ā not even for a moment.ā
The dramatic rescue and heartfelt gratitude from the girlās father have touched hearts across the UAE, shining a light on the power of courage, compassion, and community spirit that unites people in times of crisis.
Related News
