UAE leaders offer condolences after four Armed Forces members are killed in accident

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has paid his respects to the families of four members of the UAE Armed Forces who were killed in an accident in the country.

The Ministry of Defence announced their deaths on Wednesday, with the four identified as Corp Ahmed Mohammed Rashid Al Shehhi, Private 1st Class Nahyan Abdullah Ahmed Al Marzouqi, Pte 1st Class Abdul Aziz Saeed Sabt Al Tunaiji and Pte 1st Class Nasser Mohammed Yousef Al Balushi.

They were "carrying out their duty in the country" on Tuesday evening when the incident happened. Nine others were injured.

On Thursday, Sheikh Khaled paid his respects to their families at mourning majalis held at Al Shawamikh City in Abu Dhabi, Al Raqaib and Al Hamidiya in Ajman, and Dibba Al-Fujairah in Fujairah.

Sheikh Khaled said their sacrifices would always stand as a mark of distinction and a lasting example for all generations, reflecting their dedication to service and love of the homeland. He also visited Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi to check in on those injured in the accident and received an update about their health.

He informed them that President Sheikh Mohamed was closely following their conditions and wished them a speedy recovery.

A funeral was held for the four who died on Wednesday at the military hospital, attended by family, a number of senior leaders and officers of the Ministry of Defence.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, offered his condolences to the families of the four who lost their lives. He also visited the military hospital to wish those receiving treatment a speedy recovery and met with doctors overseeing their care for a brief on the treatment plans.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the leadership and people of the UAE on the martyrdom of four brave UAE Armed Forces men who lost their lives in an accident in the country while in the line of duty," Sheikh Hamdan wrote on X.

"Today, I visited the injured men receiving treatment at Zayed Military Hospital. We truly wish them a swift recovery. The sacrifices of our Armed Forces heroes and martyrs will always remain in our hearts and minds. With their devotion to safeguard the UAE's progress and integrity, they continue to set an example for noble service to the nation."

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, offered condolences after the death of Pte Al Marzouqi.

Matar Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, also led a delegation of senior officers to extend condolences to the families of the victims. The men were "transporting some ammunition within one of the military camps in the country" when the incident happened, Mr Al Dhaheri added.