Two Emiratis lost in Empty Quarter rescued

Saudi desert rangers backed by helicopters rescued two Emirati men who faced the specter of death after their car ran out of petrol while on a trip in the heart of the Saudi Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the deadliest and most barren desert on earth.

Saudi border guards at Al Bataha crossing point near the border with the UAE succeeded in fining the two with the help of Thuraya satellite company, which used their last phone call to locate their approximate position in the desert.

Saudi newspapers said desert rangers found the two cowering inside their Lexus car to avert a bad sandstorm that was raging in that area.

“One of the two Emiratis said he had heard the sound of car engines approaching their car…he said he quickly jumped out and started to wave to them with his head gear…rescuers spotted them despite the massive desert storm,” Ajel daily said.

It quoted a border guard spokesman as saying the two were found on Thursday morning after they went missing on Wednesday night, adding that they were in good condition. “One of them said they had expected to perish in the desert.”

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