Authorities probe disappearance of sailor in Dubai

Dubai: The hunt continues for a British Navy seaman reported missing in Dubai since late May.

Timothy Andrew Maccoll, 27, serves as a leading seaman aboard HMS Westminster and disappeared Sunday, May 27.

He was last seen by a shipmate leaving a watering hole in the Dubai Creek area and left the premises in a taxi but remains unaccounted for, confirmed British authorities.

The HMS Westminster steamed off from Dubai late last week without Maccoll.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson in the press office told Gulf News the missing persons case remains open.

“We can confirm that Leading Seaman Maccoll is currently unaccounted for in Dubai, everything is being done to ensure that he is located safely,” the ministry spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Gulf News.

“His next of kin has been informed and we are working closely with the local authorities and FCO representatives in the UAE to establish his whereabouts. We take great care to look after all members of the Naval Service wherever they serve around the world.”

British Foreign office officials in Dubai told Gulf News they have no new information on the case and the search continues for Maccoll.

Consular officials in Dubai said they are working closely with the British Navy in the matter.

Dubai Police did not release a statement but confirmed they are cooperating with the investigation in the mysterious disappearance.

Cobone Dubai, meanwhile, has helped post a Facebook page to help spread the word about the missing sailor’s disappearance.

Phone calls

The website states that Maccoll was last seen at 2am leaving an establishment in Bur Dubai and left alone in a taxi.

Maccoll is described as being 5 foot, 8 inches tall (1.72 metres), of medium frame and has short brown hair.

Originally from Scotland, his family now lives in Gosport in Hampshire and he speaks with a Scottish accent.

The site asks that anyone who has information please call the Royal Navy in the UK.

According to wire reports, the sailor’s family has also been unable to track down his whereabouts even after extensive phone calls to Dubai hospitals, police and other authorities.

Wife Rachael told AFP that the family “is appealing to the people of Dubai and reaching out to the large expat community to help us find Timmy and raise awareness in the area.”

Rachael is expecting the couple’s third child.

According to media reports, she told ITV1’s Daybreak that her husband was supposed to Skype her the day after his disappearance.

“I wouldn’t say he’s disappeared. He’s missing, my husband wants to be found. I’m not sure what’s happened to him but I know wherever he is, he wants to be found,” Rachael told the programme.