DUBAI // One of four teenage girls injured in a suspected gas explosion in Mirdif three weeks ago returned home from hospital yesterday, while two other victims are also showing good signs of recovery, the specialist treating them said.
Fatima Housee, 16, had been receiving treatment for burns at Rashid Hospital following the blast at her home on June 18.
Two of the other girls, Daniela Seddon and another girl identified only as Lina, have also made considerable improvement and are now able to walk and eat, said Dr Nael Abousidou, a plastic surgeon at the hospital's burns unit.
The fourth and most severely injured of the four, Kim Oberholzer, remains in a critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit.
"Fatima, Daniela and Lina are walking, talking and eating," said Dr Abousidou.
"They are starting to resume their normal lives."
Miss Oberholzer, 14, from South Africa, who suffered burns to 55 per cent of her body, developed a lung infection at the end of June, but Dr Abousidou said her condition also shown signs of improvement.
"Kim is conscious but is sedated," he said, adding that she had successfully undergone skin grafts on her hands and forearms.
The blast in the basement of the Housee family's three-storey home left the girls with severe injuries including second-degree burns.
They remained sedated, incubated and on ventilators in the intensive care unit for days after the explosion.
Although the accident was initially blamed on a gas explosion, the exact cause remains unclear.
The Housee family, who are from Mauritius, had lived in the house for five years. The girls have yet to speak to police about the incident.
The family spoke of their relief at Miss Housee's recovery. Miss Housee is now able to stand and move about, her elder sister said, adding that she had now returned home.
"Fatima still has some bandages on, but she has made lots of progress," Madiha Housee said.
"The family are feeling so much better after her improvement."
Dubai Municipality and Emirates Gas announced details of a campaign increasing awareness of gas safety on Saturday.
The two-week programme focuses on the safe handling, storage and usage of low pressure gas cylinders at restaurants, cafes and hotels.
It will also stress safety precautions such as correct ventilation and maintenance procedures and easy access to fire extinguishers.
zconstantine@thenational.ae
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
The years Ramadan fell in May
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
