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Who was Issac Paul Olakkengil, the Indian engineer who died in scuba diving incident in Dubai
Issac Paul Olakkengil was a skilled civil engineer specializing in Building Information Modelling, working in the UAE since 2019
Issac Paul Olakkengil, a 29-year-old civil engineer from Kerala, India, died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a scuba diving training session at Dubai's Jumeirah Beach on Friday, June 6.
The tragic incident unfolded while Issac was on vacation with his wife and younger brother, partaking in the Eid Al Adha holidays. The news of his untimely death has sent shockwaves through the Indian expatriate community in the UAE, where Issac had built a thriving professional life.
A life built on precision, passion, and progress
Issac hailed from Naduvilangadi in Thrissur, Kerala. A driven and accomplished engineer, he specialized in Building Information Modelling (BIM), a sophisticated digital process essential in modern construction.
After completing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Calicut University in 2016, he steadily climbed the professional ladder. He first gained experience in India, including a stint with Indian Railways, before moving to the UAE in 2019. There, he worked with prominent firms such as Omnix International, Aspen Creations, and most recently as a BIM Coordinator at PNC Architects in Dubai, a role he held since May 2022.
Issac's expertise spanned tools like Revit Architecture, Navisworks, AutoCAD, and Enscape, and he was certified in BIM Technology and BIM Coordination. He was fluent in English, Hindi, and Malayalam, and his colleagues and peers admired his methodical nature and professional diligence.
A family of engineers, bound by love and shared ambitions
Engineering ran in the family. Issac's wife, Reshma Olakkengil, is also an engineer based in Dubai. His younger brother, Ivin Olakkengil, lives and works as an engineer in Abu Dhabi.
The three shared a close bond, not only familial but also intellectual and professional.
All three were part of the same scuba diving training session at Jumeirah Beach when the incident occurred.
According to David Pyarilos, Issac's uncle, who is currently supporting the family with legal procedures and the repatriation of the body to India, 'It seems they were getting trained for scuba diving, and apparently, he [Issac] couldn't breathe properly and moved away from the pack.'
'So, everyone panicked and was impacted underwater. I was told Reshma was rescued to the shore first, followed by the other two,' Mr Pyarilos told the press.
Issac was rushed to the hospital, but despite resuscitation efforts, he could not be saved. His brother Ivin collapsed upon reaching the hospital, overwhelmed by the event. He was placed under observation and later declared out of danger. Mr Pyarilos added, 'Ivin's friends just told me they are concerned about breaking this heart-wrenching news to him, as the brothers shared a strong bond.'
According to Khaleej Times, Ivin was only informed of his brother's death on Saturday, June 7.
An ongoing investigation
Dubai police have since launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have seized the scuba diving equipment used during the session for analysis, as part of standard safety and procedural checks. The training was conducted in a designated diving area at Jumeirah Beach, popular among beginners and tourists.
The family is now focused on completing the necessary legal formalities for the repatriation of Issac's body to India, a process being handled with the assistance of Mr Pyarilos.
The UAE's Indian community, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has expressed condolences, remembering Issac as a hardworking, soft-spoken professional who had earned respect in his field and among his peers. While the incident has been reported widely, it is the story of the man behind the headlines, a committed husband, brother, and engineer, that resonates most.
