In heartbreaking news, a 10-year-old girl has tragically drowned in Dubai after her hair became tangled in a hot tub filter.
Gulf News reported that the girl's father discovered her in the three feet tub, where she had been "pinned to the bottom".
Police attended the family home, where they found that the hot tub's drain mechanism produced a strong swirling motion, which "affected the water's flow dynamic and as a result sucked the hair easily."
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Further investigations revealed that suction power was not consistent across the hot tub's filters, which may point to a mechanical fault.
Police Colonel Ahmad Humaid Al Marri said, "The young girl had asked for her father's permission to use the hot tub, however, after some time her father noticed her absence and rushed to the tub to find his daughter motionless and pinned at the bottom."
As yet, the identity of the girl has not been revealed, she is described only as European.
The tragedy is a stark reminder to be extra vigilant when allowing youngsters to use hot tubs, and to tie up hair and remove items like jewellery or clothing with loose ties and detailing beforehand.
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Colonel Al Marri stated that young children should "always be taught to stay away from drains" to avoid the risk of long hair, swimming costumes or limbs becoming entangled.
He continued: "It's easy for long hair, as well as limbs, jewellery, or pieces of a bathing suit, to become entangled in a swimming pool filter or drain, which is why children should always be taught to stay away from [them]."
To safeguard against further tragedies like this, Colonel Al Marri concluded that parental supervision around water bodies - whether open or in a contained domestic environment - was essential.
"Children should always be supervised around water bodies," he said. "Especially swimming pools, hot tubs and open beaches."
Featured Image Credit: Dubai Police