Emirati teen feared drowned in Omani city of Salalah

The family of a missing teenager have flown to Oman to help look for his body.

Ahmed Saeed Al Badi, a 19-year-old Emirati, was among a group of five friends, including his older brother Yusuf, who went swimming in the sea near the Mughsail Blow Holes, a popular tourist spot in Salalah City on September 2.

A rescue was launched for the group after a member of the public spotted them in trouble in the water.

Yusuf was rescued by an emergency crew and was taken to hospital. However, medics were unable to save him. The bodies of the friends - two Emiratis and an Omani - were also recovered, however there has been no sign of Ahmed. Royal Oman Police blamed the accident on poor sea conditions.

Sultan Al Yahyai, an uncle of Yusuf and Ahmed, said yesterday: “It is ten days now since he went missing. We’ve lost hopes of finding him alive.

“We have decided to travel to Oman and help in the search to ensure that his body is recovered.

“It has been a difficult time for the family. We were all devastated by their tragic deaths, especially their mother who lost her two beloved sons.”

He said their mother wants Ahmed’s body to be recovered so he can be buried next his brother in Al Ain City.

ismail@7days.ae