Dubai:
A nine-year-old Indian boy drowned in a swimming pool in Dubai during his classmate's birthday party, leaving his friends and family in shock.
Bonie Joseph Jr was playing with his classmates and other children who had come for the birthday party at an apartment in New Gold Souq building in Bur Dubai when the incident took place.
According to his relatives, he apparently drowned after jumping into the pool to retrieve his toy which had fallen in.
Bonie was studying in Grade 3 at Our Own English High School in Dubai and his family hails from Kerala. His mother works as a nurse and was on duty when the incident happened.
"I really don't know how it happened," said Bony Joseph who had dropped his son at his friend's place for the party.
About 45 minutes later, he received a call asking him to reach the building soon since his child had fallen into the swimming pool, The Khaleej Times reported.
The Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality have reportedly opened an investigation into the incident.