Kerala Architecture Student Killed in Tragic Dubai Road Accident
21-year-old architecture student Naifa Balkees died in Al Rashidiya, Dubai, after being struck by a vehicle while attending to a flat tyre.
A 21-year-old Indian architecture student lost her life in a devastating road accident in Dubai's Al Rashidiya area on November 6, 2026. Naifa Balkees, a final-year student at Canadian University Dubai, was the victim of a freak accident following a vehicle malfunction.
A Fatal Sequence of Events
The tragedy unfolded while Naifa was driving when her vehicle experienced a flat tyre. Demonstrating presence of mind, she successfully pulled over to the side of the road to secure the vehicle. Seeking guidance, she contacted her parents—her father, Binu Hameed, a Dubai-based businessman, and her mother, Seena—who were visiting their hometown in the Idukki district of Kerala at the time.
During the conversation, her father advised her to contact a professional roadside recovery service to handle the tyre issue. As Naifa exited her vehicle to follow this advice and wait for assistance, an oncoming vehicle struck her.
Heartbreaking Final Moments
In a harrowing turn of events, Naifa's father attempted to call her again immediately after the advice was given, but he received no response. The family's worst fears were realized shortly thereafter when the Dubai Police notified them of her passing.
Naifa is survived by her parents and her brother, Nihal Hameed. The sudden loss of the young student has sparked discussions regarding road safety and the dangers faced by motorists when attending to vehicle emergencies on busy roads.
Repatriation and Next Steps
Following the incident, Naifa's parents traveled to Dubai on morning flights to attend to the legal and logistical requirements. Currently, her remains are being held at the Dubai Police Forensic Department. Legal proceedings are currently underway to facilitate the repatriation of her body back to her home state of Kerala.