Dubai Police rescue missing hiker after extensive Hatta Mountain search

Dubai Police, represented by Hatta Police Station, successfully rescued an Arab national who became lost in the mountains of Hatta after an extensive search operation involving multiple specialised rescue and emergency response teams.

Brigadier Mubarak Al Ketbi, Director of Hatta Police Station, said the Command-and-Control Centre at the General Department of Operations received a report last Saturday from a man requesting assistance after becoming stranded in the Hatta mountain range.

Brigadier Al Ketbi explained that, immediately after receiving the report, the “Brave Team”, comprising reconnaissance and rescue units, was deployed alongside Hatta Police patrols, the National Ambulance air unit, Dubai Police Air Wing, the Difficult Missions Team from the General Department of Transport and Rescue, National Guard patrols, and paramedics from the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

He noted that the rescue teams faced significant challenges in reaching the missing man due to the inaccurate location provided in the report, the rugged terrain, steep mountain elevations, and other operational difficulties. Despite these obstacles, the teams handled the mission with a high level of professionalism, drawing on their extensive experience and specialised expertise. After two days of searching, the man was located and provided with the necessary medical care.

Brigadier Al Ketbi affirmed that Hatta Police Station remains fully prepared to respond to emergencies in mountainous areas, valleys, and other locations across the region, which attracts large numbers of visitors and tourists due to its mountains, wadis, and dams.

He explained that Hatta Police operates specially equipped patrol vehicles designed to navigate rough terrain. The vehicles feature specialised tyres, advanced smart technologies, modern communication systems linked to the Command-and-Control Centre, and a full range of rescue and support equipment. He added that officers assigned to these patrols receive specialised training to respond professionally to various emergencies around the clock.

Brigadier Al Ketbi said the Brave Team regularly undertakes rescue missions and secures events, maintaining constant readiness to respond to emergencies. The team is equipped with a wide range of specialised resources, including mechanical rescue equipment, modified mountain vehicles, LED searchlights, heavy-duty machinery, TETRA communication systems, cameras, live-streaming technology linking incident sites to the Command-and-Control Centre, modified motorcycles including quad bikes, and drones equipped with thermal imaging for night operations as well as conventional cameras for daytime missions.

Brigadier Al Ketbi urged members of the public to immediately contact Dubai Police through the emergency number 999 or use the SOS feature available on the Dubai Police smart application when encountering emergencies in mountainous areas or valleys. He stressed the importance of providing accurate location details to facilitate a rapid response and help rescue teams reach those in need as quickly as possible. He also advised visitors to remain on designated routes and avoid venturing off marked trails.