Teen with autism found after 16-hour search

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A 16-year-old boy with autism was safely located after a 16-hour search yesterday. Local police and civil defence teams found him in an abandoned building in Sitra, bringing an end to a search that had alarmed his family and community.

The teenager went missing late on Friday night, around 11pm, prompting a widespread search across derelict sites and unfinished constructions.

The breakthrough came when a gas cylinder delivery driver spotted a child near one of these locations, leading authorities to the scene. His father, Ebrahim Abd Ali, told The Daily Tribune: “He often wanders off and seems drawn to construction sites and high places.

As he grows older and becomes stronger, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep him at home.” Flat The boy was discovered inside a flat on the sixth floor of a building near Ibn Al Nafees Primary Boys School. The flat showed signs of fire damage and was locked from the inside, raising questions about how he accessed it.

Civil defence and police teams acted swiftly to ensure his safety. Although he appeared shaken, initial reports indicated no serious physical injuries, aside from dehydration and sweating from the heat, as noted by his father.

Deep concern The father expressed deep concern about the emotional impact of the incident on his son, emphasising the need for greater community awareness and support.

In light of this event, there have been calls for improved security around abandoned buildings and thorough inspections of derelict sites. Families with vulnerable members are also encouraged to consider safety measures, such as GPS trackers, to facilitate the quicker location of missing individuals.