Fatima, 4, and Amira, 7 – died after being electrocuted while playing close to a street lamp post near their home in Jeddah's Al-Azizia District Thursday. Eyewitnesses told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that Fatima had grabbed the lamp post while playing with her sister and suddenly let out a shrill cry. Her elder sister Amira rushed to help her, but she was also electrocuted on the spot. They added that a grocer nearby took a piece of cloth and tried to rescue the two girls, but it was too late. The two girls were rushed to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. A number of eyewitnesses and neighbors told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that they saw smoke rising from the lamp post Wednesday evening following the rain. Muhammad Asiri, Muhammad Sa'eed Al-Ghamdi and Khaleel Muhammad Yusuf said they reported the defect to the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) before the incident and specified the location of the lamp post and the problem. The SEC allegedly promised to repair the defect but its technicians never showed up at the scene. “We reported the matter three times but no one responded. This painful incident involving the two girls took place because of negligence. Those responsible should be taken to task,” said a resident. Residents said a team needs to be sent out to repair the street lamp post because it is in a residential district with many children who are not aware of the danger of electricity and its consequences. Adam Muhammad Ishaq expressed deep sorrow at the death of his two daughters. He said he has handed the matter over to Allah. However, he stressed that he would never forgive those who caused the death of his two daughters. He called on the security authorities to conduct an investigation to determine who was responsible.
