4 family members missing in Helmand desert found safe — Pajhwok

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Four members of a family who went missing amid strong winds and dust in the Banader desert of southern Helmand province were found safe on Monday, an official said. Mohammad Qasim Riaz, spokesman for the Helmand governor, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the missing family members included a woman, two men and a two-month-old baby. He said all four were in stable condition after being rescued. The family was travelling from Bahramcha towards Banader on Saturday when they lost their way while passing through the Chakol mountain area. Their vehicle also broke down, Riaz said. He added that ground and aerial search teams conducted operations on Saturday, Sunday and Sunday night to locate the family, but difficult weather and terrain conditions hampered the efforts. The search operation resumed on Monday morning, when the family was eventually located in the Banader desert in Garmser district. Riaz said the two-month-old baby had become slightly hungry and dehydrated due to the prolonged lack of food and water. However, he added that the baby and the other family members were in good health. The spokesman said the family had travelled far from the main route, making it difficult for rescue teams to locate them during the previous two days.