Details emerge on the demise of Saudi freediving champion Bassam Bakheet

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Saudi freediving champion Bassam Bakheet was 'loved and respected by all in the community.' (Photo/Supplied )
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Updated 08 July 2019
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Details emerge on the demise of Saudi freediving champion Bassam Bakheet

  • Bassam Bakheet was recovered on Friday at a depth of 81 meters by specialist Trimix divers
  • Saudi Border Guards and divers from the Saudi Watersports and Diving Federation joined the search

RIYADH: More details are beginning to emerge in the death of Saudi freediving champion Bassam Bakheet, who passed away on Thursday while training for a competition set to take place in Jeddah this coming weekend.

Bakheet was recovered on Friday at a depth of 81 meters by specialist Trimix divers, organized by master mariner Ahmad Shaker, who helped recover the body and delivered it to the Border Guards.

Shaker, whose daughter Salma, 19, holds the Saudi female freediving record, spoke with Arab News about the tragedy and the recovery effort.

“There were different surface markers that day,” Shaker said. “There was one for a depth of 80 meters, another for 40 meters and a third for 30 meters. My daughter Salma was at the 30-meter marker when there was a sudden commotion at the 80-meter marker where Bassam had gone down.

“Someone from Bassam’s team rushed over to my daughter’s team and said that Bassam was missing. That was when my daughter called me for help.”

Shaker, the marine services director at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), called the Border Guards while rushing to the scene.

 “Because of the depth, it was impossible to send scuba divers down to look for Bassam immediately,” Shaker said. “Scuba divers cannot go down beyond 40 meters using normal compressed air. For depths exceeding 40 meters, a special mix of air called Trimix is required. Trimix diving requires specialist training, so there are very few trained divers in the Kingdom who could immediately help.”

It soon became clear that this was going to be a body recovery effort requiring specialist equipment.

Trimix diving instructor Abdullah Baghdadi led the search effort. 

 King Abdul Aziz University (KAU), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and KAEC all immediately offered to assist and lent their equipment to the recovery effort.

 Supervising the search effort was the Border Guards, working with the Saudi Watersports and Diving Federation which provided technical divers to assist in the search.

 “KAUST provided underwater remote operated vessels (ROVs), KAU provided the search effort with their side-scan and multi-beam sonars, and KAEC provided search and rescue vessels with high-tech sonar,” Shaker said.

“On Thursday we scanned the sea floor using the ROVs and the sonar equipment,” Shaker said. “This helped narrow down the search area to a specific quadrant, where two Trimix divers were able to conduct a search on Saturday.

 “They found Bassam at 81 meters at 5:30 p.m. He was at the edge of a ledge that went down to 250 meters. Had he slipped down, we would not have been able to recover him.”

Someone from Bassam’s team rushed over to my daughter’s team and said that Bassam was missing. That was when my daughter called me for help.”

Ahmad Shaker, master mariner

Nabil Gogashi, who is also a Trimix instructor, found the diver.

The Trimix divers brought Bakheet to the surface and loaded his body on a boat where the Border Guards were waiting.

Bakheet was buried in Jeddah on Saturday.

Salma recalled the last conversation she had with Bakheet before his tragic dive.

 “He was very positive, talkative, giving tips,” Salma said. “He was a nice person who was loved and respected by all in the community.”

 The Border Guards have launched an investigation into the incident.


Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

Updated 5 sec ago
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Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.

Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.

The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.

Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.

The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.


Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

Updated 3 min 45 sec ago
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Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.

The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.

KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.

Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.

This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.

In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.

The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.

The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.


Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's ministry of foreign affairs expressed said the Kingdom welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon in a statement posted on X on Wednesday. 

The Kingdom expressed appreciation for all international efforts made for the ceasefire, adding that it hoped it would lead to the implementation of Security Council Resolution (1701) and the preservation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability and the return of the displaced to their homes in safety and security.

Resolution 1701 calls for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.


Fam Foods, Kobe Beef Association partner to launch halal-certified beef in Saudi Arabia

Updated 27 November 2024
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Fam Foods, Kobe Beef Association partner to launch halal-certified beef in Saudi Arabia

  • As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh

RIYADH: The introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef to the Saudi market was marked by an exclusive evening at the residence of Morino Yasunari, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The event was hosted by Fam Foods, the only authorized reseller in the Kingdom, in collaboration with the Kobe Beef Association and highlighted the deepening cultural and culinary partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Guests enjoyed a unique atmosphere that blended heritage and contemporary celebration. They were welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee, a gesture reflecting the nations’ shared value of hospitality, while the decor also combined their traditions.

They were also treated to a culinary journey featuring authentic Japanese techniques, including teppanyaki preparations demonstrating the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship behind Kobe beef. The renowned Kimono Butcher captivated the audience with a masterful demonstration of beef cutting, symbolizing the precision and dedication synonymous with Japanese culinary heritage.

Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, chairwoman of Fam Foods, said during her address: “This evening celebrates more than just the introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef; it embodies the rich culinary and cultural partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia. At Fam Foods, we are committed to innovating while safekeeping tradition — together, we are transforming premium dining experiences in the Kingdom.”

Shinnosuke Murakami, president of the Sanda Meat Center Export Expansion Consortium which oversees the export of Kobe from Japan, said: “Kobe beef represents the pinnacle of Japanese wagyu beef, renowned worldwide for its exceptional flavor, rich aroma and unparalleled tenderness.

“We are deeply grateful to His Royal Highness Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Her Highness Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, and the Fam Foods team for their ongoing support in this partnership and providing us the opportunity to share this wonderful delicacy with the people of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.”

Traditional performances also added depth to the evening, connecting attendees to the cultural roots of Japan, with the serene melodies of a koto performance and the elegance of a flute recital bringing the event to life.

As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh. The venture is set to redefine Japanese dining in Saudi Arabia, offering an elevated culinary experience that brings the artistry of Japanese beef to the forefront.


Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter

Updated 27 November 2024
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Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter

  • Message delivered to minister during meeting in Riyadh

RIYADH: King Salman has received a letter from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inviting him to the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

The message was delivered to Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd during a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.

The two sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.

The 45th GCC Summit takes place in Kuwait on Sunday.