Relief as Emirati missing for three days in Empty Quarter is found

An Emirati man who went missing in the vast desert between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been found alive after an intensive three-day search.

Ahmed Al Menhali, 39, was last seen at a fuel station in the Taweelah area of Abu Dhabi at about 10pm on Saturday.

Rescuers found him by his car on Tuesday after combing through the Empty Quarter, or Rub Al Khali, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. “He is in a good health and we found him after three days. A group of people who were searching for my brother called me on Tuesday night and I managed to speak with him via a Thuraya satellite phone that was with the rescue team,” his brother Hasan told The National.

“It was a moment of joy for us after gruelling days of search in the vast desert.”

Mr Al Menhali was on his way to join his family at their farm, 400km from the main road in the Saudi part of the Empty Quarter, when his Nissan Patrol ran out of fuel after 350km.

Saudi Arabia’s search and rescue organisation FAO was joined in the area by hundreds of volunteers after receiving a report from Yabreen Police Station in the kingdom.

The volunteers were given fuel, food and tools to carry out the search.

“We congratulate his family on his safe return after he was found. He is well and in good health,” the Saudi organisation said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Al Menhali said he survived on water and some food he had in his car. His brother believes the decision to stay by his car may have saved his life.

“We were terrified that he might leave his car and walk in the desert, but he decided to stay near his car, waiting for rescue. That was a good decision,” Hasan said.

“He couldn’t use his phone as there is no mobile phone coverage in the Empty Quarter. Thanks to everyone, my brother was found alive and safe.”

Mr Al Menhali was expected to return to his home in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Ahmed Al Menhali was on his way to the family’s farm in the Saudi part of the Empty Quarter when his car ran out of fuel

Ahmed Al Menhali survived on water and food he had in his car