Indian teen's body swept away in Sharjah wadi flood found in Oman

After six days of non-stop search operations involving the police authorities of two countries, the body of Albert Joy, who has been missing since November 16 was found in neighbouring Oman. The teenager's body was washed away by rainwater in Wadi Sheis in the eastern region of Sharjah last Thursday. The search and rescue teams of Sharjah Police, Dubai Police, Air Wing of Abu Dhabi Police, sniffer dogs, and in cooperation with Omani authorities found the 18-year-old's body at Al Madha Dam, in the Sultanate of Oman, 20 km away from Wadi Sheis. Albert's distraught father rushed with his passport to Oman as soon as he got the news, said social workers and close aides. The body was immediately returned to Khorfakkan Hospital, and was handed over to his family for repatriation to India. Sources close to the family confirmed that his funeral would be held in his hometown. A second-year student of an engineering college in Ras Al Khaimah, Albert completed his schooling and lived most of his life in the UAE, according to his friends. The teen is survived by his parents Joy and Valsamma and a younger sister. Albert was among six friends in a four-wheeler trapped in a flooded valley on Thursday, when an Emirati national and his employees rescued five of them. The Emirati rescuer said Joy refused to jump into the water surrounding the vehicle. It is said that he may have feared leaving behind his father's car, which was swept away in the floods.

Non-stop search operations

Lt Col Waleed Al Yamahi, director of Khorfakkan Police, stated that the search for Albert continued non-stop for seven days. "A search and rescue team comprising 75 officers from the UAE, in coordination with the Oman authorities were able to find the body of the missing teenager at Madha Dam," he said. Meanwhile, Colonel Mohammed Abdullah Al Obed, director of the Eastern Region Police Department, praised the police efforts, coordination and the full cooperation of all the police departments in the country. Indian Consul General to Dubai, Vipul, visited Albert's family on Tuesday, offering them support and assuring that all would be done to find the boy. He confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Oman had been alerted by the mission in Dubai, and they had taken it up with Omani police authorities.

Public urged to be careful

Col Al Obed urged the public to exercise caution during rains and to abide by the warnings issued by the Ministry of the Interior in general and the Sharjah Police in particular. Residents are requested to move away from spots where runoff water from valleys and mountain areas flow during the heavy rains, for their safety. Source: Khaleej Times