3 European tourists trapped in UAE mountains after losing their way

Ras Al Khaimah - They were rescued within a couple of hours.

Three female European tourists - who got trapped after losing their way in RAK mountains while trekking  - were rescued in the nick of time by the Ras Al Khaimah Police.
A team of search and rescue staff, civil defence men, and national ambulance, equipped with paramedics, swung into action and rushed to the scene.
The rescue operation took only a few hours "despite the rough rocky terrain", said Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, General Commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, early on Saturday.
"The three Europeans tourists, aged 31, 34, and 34, were on a trek when it went dark and they found themselves stranded."
Brigadier Mohammed Saeed Al Humaidi, director general of the central operations room, RAK Police, added that the central operations room received the report of the missing tourists around 6:30pm on Friday.
"The rescue teams located the lost tourists and provided them with the required first aids, and guided them to safety with the help of two Asian trekkers who happened to be at the same place."
The tourists did well by contacting the police for help at the right time before their cell phones went dead, or before losing signal and hence, communication with the rescue teams was possible, he underlined.
"A few days back the Air Wing Section of the RAK Police managed to rescue three tourists who were also hiking the mountains when they could not find their way back.
Al Humaidi pointed out that trekkers and climbers needed to learn the basics of rock climbing on an indoor wall first.
"Climbers ought to inform the authorities about their activities, whereabouts and number of climbers, and consult climbing websites to get up-to-date information on local climbing sites."
Trekkers are also advised to carry a means of communication, such as a mobile or satellite phone, he said. "A whistle could also be useful to attract attention and take food items on their hike."
All mountain-goers, tourists and workers are urged to be more cautious in these areas and take all precautionary measures for their safety.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah