Ras Al Khaimah: Three Emirati football fans died in a car crash as they returned home from watching the Arabian Gulf Cup final in Kuwait, police said on Tuesday.
The three Emiratis were killed instantly in the crash on Al Kuwait-Al Dammam road on Sunday evening, police said.
The police identified the victims as Mohammad Al Mazroui, Ahmad Al Hamdi and Abdul Rahman Abu Bakr Al Harbi. Two of the victims were from Abu Dhabi and one was from Ras Al Khaimah.
Police said one person was also injured in the crash.
An investigation is underway to find out the cause of crash, police said.
Police said the bodies of the victims were handed over to their families on Tuesday. Funeral prayers will be held in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.
Al Harbi’s funeral prayer will held at Shaikh Zayed Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah after Dhuhur (midday) prayer and will be buried in Al Hudaibyah cemetery. The funeral of the other two deceased will be held at Bani Yas mosque and the burial will take place in Bani Yas cemetery.
Malik Zaid Bin Eisa, 33, a cousin of Al Harbi, told Gulf News that the deceased and his four friends were returning to the UAE when the accident occurred.
They were travelling in two vehicles and collided with each other — three Emiratis were travelling in one vehicle while two others were travelling in the other vehicle.
Three of them were killed in the accident while two others sustained serious injuries.
Eisa said Al Harbi, 20, was studying engineering information and had nine siblings.
He added: “Abdul Rahman [Al Harbi] was so enthusiastic, and wanted to watch the match, which led him to travel by road to Kuwait. He had travelled to Kuwait before the announcement of free flights initiative to Kuwait, which was dedicated by the UAE government for football fans.
“On the day of the match, the family of deceased saw him on TV. He was seen sitting on the stage, encouraging the UAE team. His father was proud to see his son on TV.”
