Woman from Mulky burnt to death in five-car pile-up on Dubai-Abu Dhabi road

[email protected] (CD Network)
January 22, 2014
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Abu Dhabi, Jan 22: A 32-year-old woman from Mulky died on the spot in a five-vehicle pile-up that took place on Tuesday morning on the highway near Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi.

The deceased is Babitha Karkera, wife of Rohit Karkera from Udyavar, Udupi and daughter of Ramesh Karkera and Sumati, residents of Kolachi Kambla, Mulky.

It is learnt that she was driving the car on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, near the Al Raha Beach exit where construction work is underway with new diversions.

She is survived by her husband, two small kids, parents and a large number of relatives.

One of the drivers died of burn injuries on the spot after his vehicle caught fire. Two women, an Emirati and an African, sustained moderate to severe injuries and were rushed to Mafraq Hospital and Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), while the deceased was taken to the SKMC mortuary.

“The accident happened just before Al Raha beach towards Abu Dhabi city direction. It was caused by reckless driving and not keeping enough distance,” said Lt-Colonel Jamal Al Ameri, Head of Public Relations at Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate.

“As soon as the operations room at Abu Dhabi Police received the report, a strong team of rescue, traffic police patrols and civil defence, including ambulances with paramedics, reached the accident scene. The injured were immediately rushed to hospital and the road was cleared for the traffic,” said Al Ameri.

He also advised motorists to pay extra precaution on the road, particularly when the visibility is low, and avoid speeding.

“Abide by traffic regulations and expect surprises on the road, so pay attention and reduce speed when approaching areas where there are diversions and road works,” he advised. He added that an investigation into the accident was already under way.

On Sunday, Al Ameri announced a new regulation that banned heavy vehicles on roads early morning and during poor visibility.

The official called upon company owners and truck drivers to adhere to traffic laws and regulations. He said that trucks weighing 2.5 tonnes or more are not allowed to enter Abu Dhabi city during foggy weather conditions and peak traffic hours, which were identified as the hours between 7.30am-9.30am and 1pm-3pm.

The regulation comes following two major pile-ups involving 57 vehicles on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Highway on Thursday (January 16).

At least 14 people were injured, one seriously, when 57 vehicles, including a police car, were involved in two pile-ups on either side of the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Highway at Abu Samra on Thursday morning due to heavy fog.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

•    A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

•    The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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