Daijiworld Media Network - KSA
with inputs from PA Hameed Padubidri (MB)

Riyadh, Mar 4: That death is unpredictable was proved yet again with the death of a Mangalorean in a recent gas flare-up.

Abdul Sharief, aged about 35, became a prey to such a catastrophe, of fatal injury caused in a gas cylinder explosion.

The mishap occurred  in Haara (Hai’il Wazara’t) in Riyadh some two weeks back. Sharief was seriously injured and was admitted  in a state of trauma to Riyadh Hospital. But he died in the hospital last week and the body has been kept in the mortuary of Sumeshi Government hospital pending completion of formalities. 

Daijiworld correspondent met some Mangaloreans, including Haneef, the brother of the deceased working in a bakery in Riyadh. Sharief had been working in the U P Restaurant at Haara in Riyadh for the 5 years.

The tragedy hit him around 12 midnight. While on duty that time, he just went to check the availability of water in the tank. There was gas leakage where the cylinder was kept and the gas that leaked had permeated the whole surroundings.

Unaware of it, he is said to have lit the cigar-lighter in the dark, which resulted in a major fire, causing fatal burn injuries to Sharief. A Saudi national immediately rushed to help and he managed to put out the fire. He rushed Sharief who had suffered grievous burn injuries by a hospital ambulance.

The water tank also expoded with impact of the burst. Rolling shutters fitted to the water tank came off and the shattered piece fell on a few cars parked outside the restaurant.

Sharief was battling with life in a state of coma but succumbed to injuries about five days ago. His mortal remains are lying in the hospital and the final rites are expected to be held in Riyadh  on Monday, upon receipt of a letter of consent, attested by a Notary in Mangalore, from his family in Mangalore.

Other formalities are to be completed by the Officials in the Kingdom and the Indian Embassy. In case of death of an Indian national in the Kingdom, the documents to be produced before the Indian Embassy are: 1) passport copy of the deceased 2) Medical report or in case of accidental death, the medical report should contain of Postmortem report since all unnatural deaths comes under MLC (Medico-Legal Cases) 3) Report of settlement of dues from the sponsor of deceased 4) Police report and 5) Iqama copy of the attorney or the other concerned - to whom the Power of Attorney is executed - to take custody of and bury the dead body.

Sharief hailed from Navur village in Bantwal taluk of South Kanara District in Karnataka State. Abdul Kareem and Aishamma are the parents of the deceased, who had seven children. Out of them, Sharief was the eldes. He was married, with a son whom he had never seen. The son was born about a year-and-a[half back, when he was in the Kingdom.

He was planning to go on vacation to see his son and family. Daijiworld correspondent and convener-Youth Action for Understanding (YAFU)-Designate, advocate P A Hameed contacted the Indian Embassy attaché, K Muralidharan in Riyadh to get the formalities done as soon as possible.

Nawaz Gurupur, President of the Muslim Okkoota, a welfare association for the community services in Riyadh, Hameed Wenz and others have actively been working to get other formalities, including Indian Embassy procedures, completed. 

Abdul Rahim Ali, KC Road [KDD CO.], Mansoor Arabi Mulky (Hyundai), Mubarak Seedi Mulky and others have cooperated with the Daijiworld correspondent in gathering the details of the mishap.