A tragic incident took place in Dubai on November 5 when a 21-year-old student from Kerala, Naifa Balkies Hameed, was struck and killed by a vehicle while trying to fix a flat tyre on her car. The accident occurred around 3 pm in Dubai's Al Rashidiya area, according to Onmanorama, a Karala-based outlet.
Naifa had been driving her brother's car to university when one of its tyres went flat. She called her father, Binu Hameed, who was in Kerala at the time, and asked for advice. After receiving no response from her daughter five minutes later, Binu tried calling again but got no answer. The family subsequently received a call from Dubai Police informing them of Naifa's death on the spot.
The Dubai Police reportedly informed the family that Naifa was standing behind her vehicle when another car, allegedly speeding, struck her. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested, but Dubai Police has yet to confirm this information. The family is hoping that the tragedy will serve as a warning about reckless driving and the dangers of roadside emergencies.
Naifa, a final-year architecture student at Canadian University Dubai, had returned early from a family trip to Kerala because she did not want to miss her classes. She was remembered by her family and friends as someone who was determined, friendly, and dedicated to learning. The family has since flown Naifa's remains back to India, where she was laid to rest in her hometown in Kerala on November 8.