JEDDAH, 15 May 2008 — Artesian wells located across Jeddah are a cause for concern, as children often fall in them and die.

A recent case is that of two-year-old Mazin Al-Zahrani, who fell into a 12-meter wide and seven-meter deep artesian well last Friday. Although Mazin was rescued four hours after falling in, people still wonder why dried up wells remain unfilled across the city, especially in urban areas.

Mazin’s father, Ali Al-Zahrani, said that he had come to Jeddah from Makkah for the weekend and was out picnicking with relatives when his son fell into the hole. He then called the Civil Defense for help. He told Arab News that investigations are still continuing to identify who was responsible, adding that he would consult different government bodies to take the matter further.

In Madinah last year, two brothers — Mushari, 12, and Fahad, 6 — died after falling into a dried up well. Despite the Civil Defense trying for over seven hours to rescue them, the two boys suffocated.

Faiz Al-Mutair, the boys’ father, has filed a lawsuit against Madinah Municipality and the Civil Defense, and has been awaiting judgment on the case for a year. Al-Mutair said he holds the Madinah Municipality and the Civil Defense responsible for his sons’ deaths and is asking for SR10 million in compensation.

According to Saud Al-Hujaili, the lawyer representing Al-Mutair, the municipality should have not left the well unfilled.

Um Muhammad, a Jeddah resident, said that when she was young she used to live in the Al-Hindawiya district of the city and used to often hear of people falling into holes and wells. “It surprises me that such things still happen,” she said.

Sultan ibn Zahim, a Madinah lawyer, said construction companies should make their digs safe by having signs, temporary bridges and cordons. He added that companies are to be blamed in case of an accident.

“Society shares part of the responsibility. People should inform the authorities of any dangerous or unsafe areas,” he said, adding that placing signs near holes and wells does not detach companies from responsibility unless they place safer alternatives for people.

Speaking about the role of the Civil Defense in these cases, Maj. Adel Al-Zamzami, director general of the Civil Defense in Makkah, said that his organization’s role is to rescue people. He added that time is crucial as someone could die within three minutes of falling in a dried-up well.

Osama Al-Bar, mayor of Makkah, said construction companies, if found to be negligent, are ordered to repair holes and digs. In case someone is injured, companies are asked to pay compensation that could reach up to SR100,000.

“Companies are responsible and they have to repair the damage they cause,” said Al-Bar, adding that the municipality does cooperate with the Civil Defense.

“There are committees that have officials from the two bodies (the municipality and the Civil Defense) that suggest new safety rules,” he added.