(Rex)

A dad of a 20-year-old woman seemingly allowed his daughter to drown because he did not want ‘strange’ rescuers touching her.

The shocking incident, that happened on a beach in Dubai, saw the woman get into trouble in the water before lifeguards attempted to rescue her.

However, they were apparently stopped by the woman’s dad, who grappled with them rather than let them touch his daughter.

Lt Col Ahmed Burqibah, the Deputy Director of Dubai’s Police Search and Rescue department, said that the unidentified dad believed the “strange” men touching his daughter during a rescue would “dishonour” her.

He explained: “The Asian father took his wife and kids to the beach for picnic and fun.

“The kids were swimming in the beach when suddenly, the 20-year-old girl started drowning and screaming for help.

(Lt Burqibah - Supplied)

“Two rescue men were at the beach, and they rushed to help the girl.

“However, there was one obstacle which prevented them from reaching the girl and helping her.

“This obstacle was the belief of this Asian man who considered that if these men touched his daughter, then this would dishonour her.

“It cost him the life of his daughter.”

Revealing that the dad was a “tall and strong man”, Lt Burqibah said that there was a violent struggle, adding to Emirates 247: “He told them that he prefers his daughter being dead than being touched by a strange man.”

The fight delayed the rescue and the woman drowned.

Lt Burqibah said: “She died unfortunately, at a time when she had a chance to live, especially that the rescue men were so close to her to pull her out of the water.”

The dad was later prosecuted and sued by the authorities.