Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Tourism said the area in Wadi Al Sameenah where a British woman hiker was found dead in the province of Mahda on Sunday was not an approved trekking spot.
There is no trekking guidance and no signs in Al Sameenah Mountain and it lacks international trekking standards, an official at the ministry told Gulf News.
Such incidents are rare, the official said, adding that no such incidents were reported in Oman in the past decade.
Free guidance books and brochures are offered to tourists on the hiking and trekking spots in Oman with routes, the official said.
The official called on tourists to abide by the rules for the sake of their own safety.
Trekking experts see that hiring experienced person while going trekking is very important to avoid such tragic incident.
Knowing the trekking route is a must before the trip, Ahmad Al Badri, a trekking expert, told Gulf News.
Enough water, food, trekking shoes and a phone are must, Al Badri said.
Meanwhile, an official at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), told Gulf News that the twelve tourists, among whom was the British woman, entered the country from the Buraimi border, neighbouring Al Ain in the UAE.
The incident took place on Saturday evening when the victim was hiking with her 11 friends on Wadi Al Sameenah mountain in Mahda province.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) say they received a call from one hiker explaining he had lost track and needed assistance.
Search and rescue teams were able to locate seven of the eight lost hikers, including a child.
All the rest are in stable condition. Police say the woman died from heat and dehydration.
