Police continue to search for teen swept away by flood in Khor Fakkan valley

Rescue helicopters and police teams are still out searching for the man who went missing on Thursday

Five people were rescued from this car after it was swept away in a flood in Wadi Chees on Thursday. Courtesy Sharjah Police

Police teams from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Air Wing are searching for a teenager reported missing after being swept away by floods in Khor Fakkan on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Indian man was one of five others travelling in a Mitsubishi Pajero across Wadi Chees in Fujairah when they were caught in a flash flood.

An Emirati passer-by managed to rescue five of the six passengers after hearing shouts coming from the valley at around 5pm.

"Some were standing on the roof of the car and others were inside, they were surprised and didn't expect the water to be that strong," said Kalifa Al Naqbi.

Mr Al Naqbi, 33, called police and some of his workers to help him rescue the stranded group.

"We tried to use a rope but it was a little short so we tried to calm them down and tell them what to do as they were panicking, five of them managed to get out of the car but the driver refused to leave, as the car belongs to his father," he said.

Mr Al Naqbi said the group visited the wadi to enjoy the view, as many do after it rains in Khor Fakkan.

"It’s a well-known area and many visitors come when the rain falls. I live near Wadi Chees and I know that some parts of it become dangerous especially after a heavy rainfall, this is not the first incident but this is the first time someone goes missing," he said.

"It's a tragic incident, we tried searching for the young man after the water levels came down but didn't find him and he is still missing," he said.

Police dispatched rescue teams and helicopters to search for the missing man but with no success thus far.

Lt Col Walid Al Yamahi, Director of Khor Fakkan Police, urged the public to steer clear of mountain areas, valleys and dams during heavy rains.

A video shared online showing two people standing on the roof of a vehicle in the middle of a running stream while three others tried to help them from the banks of the valley.