A week after his death, friends and compatriots of Tarik Alghoubachi continue to mourn his passing.
The 36-year-old Moroccan firefighter died after attempting to fight a warehouse blaze near the Industrial Area on the evening of Friday, Feb. 6.
He and a colleague had responded after a fire broke out at a building that apparently stored diapers, medical supplies and other goods, a fellow firefighter told Doha News.
Alghoubachi, a seasoned firefighter who had worked for Civil Defense since 2006, was tasked with finding anyone trapped in the warehouse, according to Morocco’s deputy ambassador in Qatar, Abdul Razzaq Dinar.
There were no individuals inside the building, but Dinar said Alghoubachi was so involved in trying to find people that he didn’t pause to refill his oxygen tank.
He was taken to Hamad Hospital and died early Saturday morning, Feb. 7, of asphyxia-related complications.
According to his colleague who asked not to be named, Alghoubachi could not get out of the warehouse because he was trapped by burning debris.
His death has hit many friends hard. One described him as a good man, “one of the kindest people I have ever met, (who) always had a smile on his face (and) gave 100 percent on the job.”
Alghoubachi was unmarried and hails from Fez, where his body was repatriated on Tuesday.
According to Dinar, the Qatar government and Ministry of Interior shouldered the expenses of flying the body home, with a high-ranking envoy from the MOI going along to pay condolences in person to the family.
Meanwhile, local media reports state that a wealthy Qatari man has donated some QR500,000 to Alghoubachi’s family, as a tribute to his courage and sacrifice.
Morocco-Qatar agreement
Dinar said that some 230 Moroccan expats currently work as firefighters for Civil Defense in Qatar. This is in part because of a 2006 agreement between the two countries that has facilitated the large number of Moroccan men on the local force.
This is not the first time a Moroccan firefighter has died while on duty in Qatar. Hossam Chahboune, 22, along with Iranian colleague Mahmoud Haidar, were killed in the 2012 Villaggio Mall fire.
Seventeen others, including 13 children, also died of smoke inhalation in that fire after being trapped in an upstairs daycare at the mall.
That blaze was apparently caused by a short circuit, but what prompted this most recent fire to be started remains under investigation.
Thoughts?
RIP and thank you for your service to society.
That’s really sad. He was definitely a hero. Allah yerhamou 🙁
R.I.P. to the hero and my great respect to the Qatari who donated to the deceased’s family.
salute and respect to hero firefighter Tarik…. his bravery and courage is worth emulating… may you rest in eternal peace, Sir…
I salute the hero who gave 100% to his second home. May his soul rest in peace. .
Rest in peace
My greatest respect for this man who gave his live in the service of others. And condolences to his family.
I hope the company and/or manager of the warehouse will be properly investigated. If it turns out they had inadequate fire safety measures or poor safety practices (such as a plan by which they know who could still be in the building), they should be held liable for this brave man’s death.
The authorities need to check and investigate why there are fires and other incidents on a regular basis at the warehouses at the Industrial area. Some of the warehouses there, specially the ones run by the logistics organizations are in such a bad shape where anything and everything is stored that includes food items, spare parts, chemicals, hazardous items all in the same premises. It would be advisable for the authorities to be pro active and penalize the people who mis use their warehouses knowingly or unknowingly and in doing so put the lives of others, including the fire fighters at serious risk. Just the fumes from burning of this items stored and lumped togather can cause a serious risk of death to the persons responding to this fires
My gratitude and respect to him for his courage and selfless service. My condolences to his family. Allah yerhamu.
RIP you worked hard❤❤
He was a true hero of Qatar. We need more selfless people like him here, absolute respect.
In death he received recognition for his services because luckily he worked in a Govt entity. For private businesses here work related death of an expat is expendible.
Tarik was a brave and selfless man who gave his life for society. In Qatar we are fortunate to have such men as Tarik keeping us safe. Sincere condolences to his family and friends around the world. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.
A true hero but I am curious…how many Qataris are actively fire fighters in their own country ? And 500000 riyals from a private donor ? He gave his life for Qatar … why has the government compensated his family as well ?
All my respect for hero! Rest in peace!
He was a great person, allah yrahmak khoya Tarik 🙁
RIP.
Shouldn’t there be a march for him ?