Dubai: Parked car catches fire at DXB; no injuries reported
A parked SUV at Dubai International Aiport Terminal 1 caught fire on Saturday midday. Authorities immediately responded to the incident and put out the fire.
The fire was immediately extinguished and no injuries were reported.
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Khaleej Times
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- Khaleej Times
UAE: Human trafficking survivor gets Dubai Police diploma, helps raise awareness
'S.G.', a talented footballer in his home country, was approached by a man claiming to be a football agent. Promising a trial with a club in Africa that would lead to Europe, the agent convinced him to pay and travel. Instead, he found himself trapped in a trafficking network. That's when the young man's dream of becoming a professional football player in Europe turned into a nightmare. Today, after years of hardship, he has transformed his experience into a mission to combat human trafficking, holding an Anti-Human Trafficking Diploma from Dubai Police. It all started when a man claiming to be a sports agent approached him with what seemed like a golden opportunity: a contract with a club in an African country that would serve as his gateway to European football. Excited, S.G. scraped together his savings, travelled across deserts, and set out to chase his dream. But when he arrived, he realised there was no club. The so-called 'agent' was actually part of a human trafficking gang. 'They forced me to work for them under threats and beatings,' S.G. recalled. 'I had to guard and transport women they were exploiting. I tried to escape once, but they caught me, assaulted me brutally, and warned me they would kill me if I tried again.' After a second escape attempt, aided by someone who sympathised with his ordeal, he managed to flee and return home. A friend in the UAE later encouraged him to move to Dubai, where he secured a job with a private security company at an airport. Feeling secure psychologically, mentally, and socially wasn't the end of his story. His new employer nominated him for the Anti-Human Trafficking Specialist Diploma, a programme launched by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking and Dubai Police, in cooperation with the Dubai Judicial Institute and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Despite his traumatic past, S.G. completed the course and produced a research paper on Border Control Procedures to Prevent Human Trafficking Crimes. His recommendations included specialised training for border control officers, improved cooperation between agencies, and public awareness campaigns. He emphasised the importance of creating mechanisms to support and protect human trafficking victims, ensuring their access to medical care, social services, and legal assistance. Additionally, he stressed the need for effective border control measures, including biometric technology, thorough risk assessments, profiling, and collaboration among various agencies and organisations. 'The diploma gave me a chance to deepen my understanding of this crime and share knowledge with my colleagues in the private security sector,' he said. 'Knowledge and awareness are the best preventive measures. They can save lives by helping us recognise the signs and protect potential victims.' The UAE has taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen the fight against human trafficking. In 2023, the Cabinet adopted amendments to the law, expanding services for victims such as educational support and safe return to their home countries. The legislation also tightened sanctions, criminalising incitement to commit trafficking and increasing penalties for perpetrators. According to the UAE government, combating human trafficking is part of a comprehensive action plan that focuses on prevention, prosecution of traffickers, protection of survivors, and promotion of international cooperation. The country maintains a network of shelters, raises awareness of the crime, and enforces penalties, including a minimum fine of Dh100,000 and at least five years in jail for offenders.
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Tenants tell of escape as Dubai residential block engulfed by flames
A Dubai resident said she feels lucky to be alive after escaping from her apartment as flames engulfed the apartment building. Leyna Bouazzi, 22, was awoken by an alarm that she first mistook for a reversing lorry in the early hours of Saturday. She shared footage that showed how rapid the blaze spread, apparently fuelled by cardboard boxes stored on balconies. Eight flats in the Elysee III Pantheon were damaged by a blaze that began shortly before 4am. Ambulance, police and Civil Defence personnel were at the scene and tackled the blaze. No injuries were reported. Those affected have been placed in nearby hotels, temporary accommodation, or with friends. The low-rise building has a mix of short-term holiday lets and longer-term rentals. The extent of the damage was visible by daytime. All valuables lost Ms Bouazzi, who is from France and works in recruitment, woke up at about 4am and quickly realised something was wrong. 'I went to bed quite early on Thursday, and I was woken up by red lights and a beeping noise, which I thought was a lorry reversing, but it was the fire alarm,' she said. 'All these stacked boxes had been falling onto my balcony for a month or so, I assumed it was a construction vehicle coming to pick them up. 'I just took a quick look outside and saw the fire.' When I opened the wardrobe door, the whole glass window exploded. It was really thick glass and exploded into the room Leyna Bouazzi Ms Bouazzi, who has been in Dubai for a year and has lived at the Elysee III block for six months, said she lost everything in the fire, including her passport, clothes and personal valuables. 'I took some of my valuables and tried to put them in the wardrobe,' she said. 'But when I opened the wardrobe door, the whole glass window exploded. It was really thick glass and exploded into the room, I was very lucky not to be hurt but it was a huge shock. 'I grabbed the first bag I could, which had my laptop in it, and immediately left the apartment. 'The water came out of the sprinkler system as soon as I walked out of my apartment.' The building was immediately evacuated while fire crews tackled the blaze. Residents were allowed back in to recover their possessions at about 9.30am on Friday. 'I've lost all my clothes, all my belongings, all my make-up, skincare and hair products, as well as the family stuff and pictures, absolutely everything is gone,' said Ms Bouazzi. 'There was 30cm of water on the floor in my apartment, so everything was ruined." I've no food, no shelter or shampoo, there's absolutely nothing to do. Leyna Bouazzi 'I've no food, no shelter or shampoo, there's absolutely nothing to do. I'm just staying with my friends for now.' Another resident, who did not want to be identified, was staying in an Airbnb apartment inside the building. He had been living there for a week when he was woken by a large bang and realised he had to leave the building quickly. Clean-up underway On Saturday, the clean-up was underway, with maintenance crews working on the damaged building. Hamza Khaleeli, a letting agent who manages two apartments, one of which was severely fire-damaged, said: 'I was worried about my tenant and made sure that she reached her hotel room.. 'I took her to the police station so she could give a statement about what happened. 'We handed over the apartment fully furnished, so we are trying to understand what is covered by insurance.' The developer has offered tenants temporary accommodation in an older buildings nearby. 'As I understand it the building itself will be covered by insurance, and we still have warranty on the whole apartment, but not the contents or personal possessions,' Mr Khaleeli added. Insurance cover Ali Abu Safieh, the building's legal director, said those affected by the fire were being supported. 'We've provided them shelter, and moved them all to secure their safety to ensure everything is going according to the UAE government procedures," he said. 'We will have to wait until the UAE Civil Defence report, but we think there are from six to eight apartments affected, but also common facility areas. 'Thankfully, no one was injured, and everyone was moved out safely.' He said, according to some residents, the fire broke out due to a discarded cigarette, 'but we will have to have this confirmed in the report'. 'Our procedures for all our apartments and properties have been covered with the insurance that is appropriate with the regulations,' Mr Abu Safieh said.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Can car rental companies charge drivers for stains, regular wear and tear?
Question: I rented a car on a long-term basis. When I returned it, there were some stains on the seats, as could be expected from regular wear and tear. Can the company now charge me for cleaning those stains? Answer: In the UAE, car rental and leasing services are regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 on Traffic Regulation. According to Article 29 of this law, rental companies must be licensed by the relevant authority and are obligated to ensure that the renter holds a valid driving licence recognised in the UAE. Here's what Article 29 says: '1. Vehicles shall be rented and leased in accordance with the provisions of this Decree-Law and the legislation in force in the State in this regard. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 2. Vehicle rental activity may not be practised unless a licence is obtained from the Competent Authorities. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the conditions for practising vehicle rental activity. 3 .Companies licensed to engage in vehicle rental activities shall ensure the validity of driving licences approved in the State, duplicated or recognised by the renter, in accordance with the controls and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 4. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the controls for renting vehicles, the obligations of the drivers of these vehicles, and the procedures for registering them.' Assuming you rented a car from a company based in Dubai, there are additional local regulations that apply. All car rental companies in Dubai are required to return consumers' credit card holds and other deposits within 30 days of the vehicle's return. This directive comes from the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, which operates under the Department of Economy and Tourism. In accordance with these, when it comes to cleaning charges, whether or not you're liable depends largely on the terms of your rental agreement. While some level of wear and tear (such as minor stains or signs of regular use) is generally expected, the rental company may be entitled to deduct a reasonable amount for cleaning. You may review the rental agreement you signed with the rental company, particularly any clauses related to vehicle condition upon return and cleaning fees. Typically, such incidental costs — like cleaning or minor damage — are covered by your security deposit. If you feel the charges are unreasonable or were not clearly disclosed, you can request a detailed breakdown from the rental company. If the issue remains unresolved, you may also consider reaching out to the relevant consumer protection authority for further assistance.
