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18 People Stranded in Hills 
and Desert Rescued by Police

DUBAI — Sixteen people, who got stranded in the Al Rawada hills on the UAE-Oman border, were rescued late last week by a Dubai Police team, a senior officer told Khaleej Times 
on Saturday.

The group had gone on a safari trip. However, one other woman who was with the group, died due to excessive exposure to heat.

Brigadier Anas Al Matroushi, acting director of the General Department of Operations, said among those stranded in the Al Rawada hills were Indians, Filipinos and Lebanese. They were tracked by the global positioning 
system (GPS).

An Omani police officer, who responded to the distress call, also suffered heat stroke, he added.

Al Matroushi said the team had also rescued two Europeans who were stuck in the desert last Wednesday.

The Europeans, who went on a desert safari, were stranded in the Al Fagaa area on the Dubai-Al Ain Road after their vehicle broke down and they 
lost their way.

On receiving information, the Air Wing rescue team scoured the desert area and the two were located.

“The helicopter landed and the crew helped pull out their car from the sands. The exhausted and thirsty pair were given water and first aid,” he said.

The police team escorted them till they reached the main highway.

Al Matroushi urged people going out on safaris to choose the right time and to avoid exposure to sun.

He said that the Air Wing transported 85 injured people and 19 patients this year.

amira@khaleejtimes.ae