MP calls for probe into diver’s death

Manama : The death of a Bahraini diver near the shores of Sitra has stirred up a clarion call from a Bahraini lawmaker, who called for an investigation into the incident yesterday.

Riyadh Al Gallaf, 45, died while supervising some underwater maintenance work for the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) last Friday. 

Describing Al Gallaf’s death as “due to negligence at work,” MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoudh warned that he would utilise his parliamentary authorities to hold EWA accountable if no urgent investigation is initiated into the incident.

“This incident will be broached in the upcoming session of the legislative term (expected to begin in September) if no transparent investigation is conducted,” he said in a statement posted on his social media pages.

“There are important details that need to be clarified. The non-Bahraini diver, who was accompanying Al Gallaf should be interrogated. He didn’t fulfil his duties towards his colleague. It’s strange that no announcement was made about interrogating him,” Al Mahfoudh said, adding that EWA should be responsible for its employees and the companies that are contracting with it.

DT News reported on Sunday that Al Gallaf, who owns a marine and underwater services company, was missing while on an urgent work assignment along with a South African colleague on Friday. 

Later, his body was found in the seabed near Sitra Industrial Area by the Coast Guards. Family members said he was on an assignment for EWA, which is one of his clients.

Al Mahfoudh called upon Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza and EWA CEO Shaikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa to follow up the matter, and compensate Al Gallaf’s family.

Al Gallaf, who hails from Juffair, was laid to rest in Shaikh Maitham Graveyard in Umm Al Hassam on Sunday. He is survived by his wife, two children and eight brothers.