The incident of the drowning of two players from the Talkha team, affiliated with the Dakahlia Governorate (Delta Egypt), on the beach of the city of Gamasa (northern Egypt), renewed sorrow and reopened the file of mass drowning incidents that Egypt had witnessed in previous periods, especially after 4 players who were no more than 15 years old were exposed to a drowning accident that claimed the lives of two of them.
The incident captured attention and topped the trend on “X” in Egypt on Wednesday, and many websites and social pages highlighted the picture of the two players who drowned in the sea, Ahmed and Abdullah, during a sports camp for the team in the city of Gamasa, while rescue forces were able to save other players.
While Talkha Club officials denied their responsibility or their relationship with the training camp, the team’s coach published a statement stating his responsibility for the camp and explained the details of what happened, and stressed his emphasis on the players not leaving the rooms without his permission, but the group that was in the goalkeeper coach’s room, including his son Muhammad, went down to the sea. He indicated that the goalkeeper’s son was rescued and his father is still with him in intensive care, while the bodies of Ahmed and Abdullah were recovered.
A state of sadness spread among the club members and officials, who announced that they had not issued any official permit to hold a camp for the team in the resort. They also declared mourning for a period of 3 days, and the state of sadness extended to the sports community. After offering his condolences to the club and the families of the victims, Egyptian sports critic Saad Siddiq said: “It is necessary for the club to take action to hold those responsible for this incident accountable, and compensation must be paid to the families of the victims,” adding to Asharq Al-Awsat: “Unfortunately, the recent period has witnessed incidents.” Similar, therefore, it is necessary to establish a law or rule that protects players and reduces the risks they are exposed to as a result of negligence or otherwise.” He continued: “I hope that there will be permanent follow-up and the provision of a sufficient number of lifeguards at such sites and beaches, and that we will see rules and laws that guarantee compliance and prevent such tragic accidents from occurring.”
Egyptian beaches have previously witnessed similar incidents, including the Abu Thala Beach incident in Agami, Alexandria, which occurred in August last year, in which 6 girls were killed while about 24 girls who were on a training trip on the beach were injured. Following the accident, the Alexandria Governorate (northern Egypt) decided to permanently evacuate vacationers from the beaches of western Alexandria, warning them not to go into the water following the accident.
In the same context, Egypt witnessed drowning incidents last year among players, including the child Youssef Mohamed, who died last December while participating in a swimming tournament. Forensic medicine attributed the cause of death to drowning, and a number of officials were referred to trial on charges of negligence. John Majed (18 years old), who was practicing swimming in a club, also died last January.
