Abu Dhabi school bus tragedy: Naziha being laid to rest...

Four-year-old Naziha Alaa, who was found dead on Tuesday after being locked inside her school bus, will be laid to rest today around 3pm.

The family confirmed the news to Emirates 24|7.

“We have got the papers, and will host a prayer meeting at 3pm at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City hospital mortuary,” informed Naziha’s uncle Sharif.

 “A special prayer (for the departed soul) will be held before we proceed to the Baniyas cemetery.”

 He added that a message had been sent out to their family and friends.

 Naziha’s father and mother are still heartbroken and are struggling to deal with their loss. Her elder sister Asima, who is six years old, has still not understood the enormity of the tragedy.

 Sharif informed that the investigation is currently underway. “We are just relieved that we were able to secure her body today,” he added.

 “The verdict will take time.

 “We are not interested in all that (penalty). What we are concerned about is how the schools must take responsibility and be more vigilant, and ensure such tragedies are averted.

 “It’s not a question about ensuring it doesn’t recur. There’s no point talking about prevention after a tragedy has happened.”

 He stressed how it was pointless if schools didn’t follow the safety guidelines set by Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec).

 “As far as I know Adec has a rule that clearly states that the schools must call the parents to inform about a child’s absence from class.”

 Sharif added that the unfortunate incident could have been averted if the school had followed that guideline. “They didn’t even call to check why she didn’t come to class. Had they done that we could have saved her.

 “Instead, they came up with some lame explanation that since it was after the Eid weekend, many children were absent so they didn’t think they needed to check.”

 Sharif said he had seen the caretaker and driver in court, and that they were “in custody”.

 Naziha was a KG-1 student at Al Worood Academy Private School in Khalidiya in Abu Dhabi.

 The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, when the driver and attendant of her school bus allegedly left her locked inside. It is suspected that she fell asleep inside.

 “She had boarded the bus at around 6.30am. She must have fallen asleep, and was left behind after all the other children alighted at the school. She was still inside when the driver and caretaker locked the bus. It’s when they returned to the bus in the afternoon to take the students back home that they found her body,” the uncle reported.

Naziha's family shattered

The family of four-year-old Naziha Alaa, who was found dead after being locked in her school bus, are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Her father Naseer Ahmad, who works as an accountant at Adco, was not in a state to talk. Her mother has been hospitalized twice already and is shattered. “We had to admit her at the hospital and give her glucose. She’s traumatised,” said Sharif, Naziha’s uncle.

Naziha’s older sister Asima, who is six years old, is still confused about the turn of events.

“She’s still a kid herself. She doesn’t understand the seriousness of the tragedy. She’s unsure about what’s going on. There are so many people at home that she’s going on about things like usual.” Sharif’s two kids have been keeping her company all this time.

Sharif and (another uncle) C. Nasser were in court on Wednesday evening, waiting to collect the necessary documents for the release of her body.

“Investigation is still on, and might take time. We are hoping that we can get the paper work done as quickly as possible to get Naziha’s body,” Sharif added.

Naziha was a KG-1 student at Al Worood Academy Private School in Khalidiya in Abu Dhabi.

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, when the driver and attendant of her school bus allegedly left her locked inside.

“She had boarded the bus at around 6.30am. She must have fallen asleep, and was left behind after all the other children alighted at the school. She was still inside when the driver and caretaker locked the bus. It’s when they returned to the bus in the afternoon to take the students back home that they found her body,” the uncle reported.

Her parents were later informed about the accident by the school at 12.30pm.

Sharif alleged that the school didn’t come forward to comfort the grieving parents. “In fact, when Naseer asked them why they didn’t raise an alarm when they found Naziha absent from class, the school authorities were rude to him.”

Despite numerous attempts, Emirates24|7 was unable to connect with the school principal.

Naziha’s body is kept in the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City hospital mortuary.

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