Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
Police using drones and sniffer dogs are searching for a missing British tourist who vanished while exploring ancient ruins in Turkey.
Staff at the Happy Nur Hotel alerted police when David Horton Cann, 56, failed to turn up after a day exploring in Fethiye, a popular holiday destination for British holidaymakers in south-western Turkey, five days ago.
They said that he left the hotel which is located in Mugla province in order to go exploring near the ancient ruins at Kayakoy and never returned. Since then he also failed to catch the flight back home.
Pictures Credit: AsiaWire
Police, together with local volunteers, then moved in to search for him, also aided by sniffer dogs and using drones. Because much of the terrain turned out to be difficult to access, a local army unit has also been added to the search party.
The rescuers say that it is tough going, as much of the area is also forested, making it difficult to search, and they also have a vast area to cover, as with the heavily wooded region it is easy to lose one’s bearings and get lost, meaning the British man might have wandered some distance if he had lost his bearings.
The search party is also being helped by volunteers, with for example the platform TripAdvisor broadcasting an appeal by user ‘cosycarol’ saying: “Please can everyone be vigilant for a missing tourist David Horton Cann, from Portsmouth, UK.”
Local media reported that the area is challenging at best, and despite routes being marked, it is also easy to get lost. Every year, there are cases of people getting lost in the region, with the situation quickly likely to turn critical especially during hot weather when heat exhaustion can play a factor.
People are advised against hiking alone in this region, and it is unclear what precautions the British man took or what equipment he had with him. It is not even known what he was wearing when he left his hotel.
George Thomas, who is reportedly a relative of the missing British man, wrote on a Facebook page for tourists in the region that the family were very worried.
He said: “If anybody is in the local area to Oludeniz please keep a look out for or share any information you know of man. He’s name is Dave Cann and was due back in the UK on Wednesday 03/07/2019. His passport and belongings were found in his hotel room. He was last seen leaving his hotel on the morning of Tuesday 2nd July to walk the Lycian Way Trail from Oledeniz Belediyesi to Kayakoy and back. This is very out of character and he is very independent and well travelled. He has been classed as a missing person and the police and British embassy have been informed. Family and friends are extremely concerned, and have flown to the local area to assist the search. (sic)”
He then added an update from Saturday saying: “A search has taken place through Saturday 6th July on the part of the Lycian Way he was due to hike – but no further information or updates are available. As a family member in direct contact with my family in the area, I thank you for all your support and wishes, and ask that no information is shared that might not be accurate or up-to-date. Thanks.”
The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
