Child found safe after 8-hour search in Bidiyah desert: CDAA

2026-02-02 - 17:18

Bidiyah – Rescue teams of Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority found a missing child in Bidiyah desert in North Sharqiyah on Saturday after an extensive search operation that lasted about eight hours, a CDAA official said. The authority’s operations centre received a report at 10am about the disappearance of the child, who went missing while on a family outing in a desert area. Search and rescue teams were immediately mobilised and a field plan was drawn up to expand the search based on the child’s last known location. The operation was carried out with support from the North Sharqiyah Police Command and the Police Aviation Unit. A number of local residents also joined the search, helping teams cover a wide area in a short time. According to the official, teams were deployed across multiple search lines using vehicles suited to the desert terrain. The child was eventually found in good health after several hours of searching. He was examined on site and provided necessary care before being reunited with his family. The official commended the cooperation between authorities and citizens, noting that joint efforts contributed significantly to the positive outcome. CDAA urged families to closely supervise children during desert trips and camping, and to adhere to safety measures, including setting clear meeting points and not leaving children unattended in open areas. Such precautions, the authority stated, are essential to prevent incidents and ensure safety.