(Image source from: The National)

A six-year-old Indian boy hailing from Kerala was found dead in the United Arab Emirates after he dozed off in his school bus and left behind alone for several hours on Saturday, according to a media report.

Mohamed Farhan Faisalwas a student of Islamic Centre in Al Quoz and had dozed off after boarding the bus. He was left behind after all other students disembarked outside the center at 8 a.m., the Khaleej Times reported.

The Dubai Police said that they were notified of the tragedy at 3 p.m.

"The child was found as the driver took the bus out to drop the students back home," a senior police official was quoted as saying by the paper.

Farhan, who joined the center earlier this year, was the youngest of three children. His parents are long-time residents of Karama in Dubai. His father Faisal runs multiple businesses in Dubai and as well as in Kerala, the paper reported.

"I had met the family during a get-together just last week. He was such a bright boy. His parents are in a state of shock," said a close family member, who requested not to be named.

After the initial investigation, the body was shifted to the forensic department at 6 p.m. for an autopsy.

"The mortal remains will be handed over to the family after all legal and administrative procedures have been completed," the official said.

Similar Cases Earlier

In 2014, Nizaha Ala'a, a KG1 student at Abu Dhabi's Al Worood Academy Private School,suffocated to death after being forgotten inside a bus.

The news had outraged the nation and led to a major discussion on child safety in buses.

Another KG1 student early this year was unnoticed inside a school for over four hours. However, the child survived, the paper reported.

By Sowmya Sangam