Ethiopian domestic worker shields child from deeper fall in Fujairah well, sustains broken leg
A 25-year-old Ethiopian domestic worker held a seven-year-old boy and refused to let go despite suffering a fractured leg after both fell into a well when its cover collapsed in Fujairah's Merashid area.
Omar Al Nuaimi
Ethiopian domestic worker shields child from deeper fall in Fujairah well, sustains broken leg
A 25-year-old Ethiopian domestic worker demonstrated extraordinary courage after falling into a well with a seven-year-old boy in Fujairah's Merashid area on Saturday afternoon, protecting the child from further injury despite suffering a fractured leg herself.
The incident occurred at approximately 3.30pm on October 3, 2026, when the cover of a well behind a family home collapsed under the combined weight of the child and the worker. Both fell into the well, but the worker immediately braced herself against a metal structure inside and held on to the boy, preventing them from slipping deeper until emergency services arrived.
According to family members, the worker ensured the child was rescued first before allowing emergency crews to bring her to safety. The child was discharged from hospital the following day after doctors confirmed he was in good health, while the domestic worker remains under treatment at Fujairah Hospital for the leg fracture.
Background to the accident
A relative of the child explained that the boy suffers from hyperactivity, prompting the family to employ two domestic workers to supervise him and monitor his movements. The worker involved in the incident had only recently joined the household and was unaware that a well was located behind the house.
The well had been covered with boards and stone slabs, but these gave way when the child suddenly ran towards the area and the worker followed to keep watch over him. The second worker was on her lunch break at the time.
Falls are among the most common causes of childhood accidents in the home, accounting for 44 per cent of all children's accidents. Globally, more than 1,600 children and adolescents below the age of 19 years die every day from preventable injuries including falls, drowning, burns and poisoning, with unintentional injuries being the leading cause of death for children ages 1-14.
Official response
Fujairah Civil Defence Deputy Director Colonel Khalid Rabie Al Hammoudi visited the child's family at their home following the incident to check on his condition and congratulate them on his safe recovery. He also visited the domestic worker at Fujairah Hospital and wished both her and the child continued good health and a speedy recovery.
Al Hammoudi reaffirmed the civil defence department's commitment to supporting humanitarian cases and standing by members of the community. UAE Civil Defence operates under Federal Law No. 8 of 1980, with Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 establishing comprehensive requirements for occupational health and safety across all private-sector employers.
Worker rights and protections
The domestic worker is among approximately 750,000 domestic workers living and working in the UAE, with about 65 per cent based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Women constitute 72 per cent of all domestic workers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and approximately 75,000 Ethiopian migrants were estimated to be in the United Arab Emirates according to a 2021 Labour Force Migration Survey.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, domestic workers in the UAE are entitled to at least 12 hours of daily rest, including eight consecutive hours, 30 days of annual leave after one year of service, and one full weekly rest day. Employers are legally required to provide domestic workers with appropriate accommodation and proper meals, and to pay the costs of their medical treatment. The law strictly prohibits all forms of verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and domestic workers have the right to report violations directly through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation helpline (800-60) or the MoHRE mobile app without requiring permission from their employer.
Safety measures implemented
Following the incident, the family implemented additional safety measures around the well. A secure metal cover was installed over the opening, along with a metal gate and protective barrier to prevent access to the site and ensure no one approaches it in future.
Fujairah Civil Defence urged homeowners, farm owners and landowners to ensure wells are properly secured and tightly covered. The authority also called for barriers and clearly visible warning signs to be installed around wells and warned against leaving them exposed or without adequate protection.
Officials said unsecured wells pose a serious danger to both children and adults and that a moment of inattention can quickly turn into an accident that threatens lives. Civil Defence stressed that community safety is a shared responsibility and that simple preventive measures can help prevent accidents and save lives.
