Rijesh Kalangadan and Jeshi Kandamangalath lost their lives in the fire. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Rijesh Kalangadan and Jeshi Kandamangalath lost their lives in the fire. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
The couple had a strong network of friends and colleagues in Dubai where they lived for more than 10 years. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
The couple had a strong network of friends and colleagues in Dubai where they lived for more than 10 years. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai. Reuters
Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai. Reuters
The scorched area of the building after a fire broke out in Al Ras district in Dubai. EPA
The scorched area of the building after a fire broke out in Al Ras district in Dubai. EPA
Residents stand outside the building. Reuters
Residents stand outside the building. Reuters
Jeshi was a much-loved English teacher at Crescent English High School. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Jeshi was a much-loved English teacher at Crescent English High School. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
People will remember her walking in the corridors with a smile on her face, said Sharafudeen Thanikatt, principal of the school. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
People will remember her walking in the corridors with a smile on her face, said Sharafudeen Thanikatt, principal of the school. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Prayers for Rijesh and Jeshi were read at a home they were building in Kerala. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Prayers for Rijesh and Jeshi were read at a home they were building in Kerala. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Crowds of mourners outside the couple's home in India. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Crowds of mourners outside the couple's home in India. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Mourners gather around an ambulance carrying the bodies. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Mourners gather around an ambulance carrying the bodies. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family
Gudu Saliyakoondu, a building security guard from Tamil Nadu state in southern India, died in the fire. Photo: Gudu family
Gudu Saliyakoondu, a building security guard from Tamil Nadu state in southern India, died in the fire. Photo: Gudu family

UAE

Sixteen dead and 9 injured in Dubai fire

Building owner under investigation for lack of compliance with safety codes, say authorities

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  • Arabic

Latest: ‘My brother went to help and never came back’

Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai, authorities have said.

The blaze broke out on Saturday in a five-storey building off Al Khaleej Street in Al Ras, where the old Deira market is.

The first crews were on the scene at 12.41pm, around six minutes after the first emergency call was received.

The fire on the fourth floor “resulted in the death of 16 people and injuries to nine others”, a Dubai Civil Defence statement said.

“Preliminary investigations showed that lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements caused the fire.

“Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed a report on the causes of the accident.”

No mention of arrests at this stage have been made.

Civil Defence “stressed the importance of residential and commercial building owners and residents fully complying with security and safety requirements and guidelines to avoid accidents and protect people’s lives”.

Al Ras is on the banks of Dubai Creek in the city's old souq district. One of the city's densely populated areas, it is home to thousands of market workers and traders.

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Range: Up to 610km

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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  • Price: Not announced yet
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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Updated: April 17, 2023, 4:15 PM`
Dubai