Missing Kitesurfer Since July 6: Massive Search Ongoing

A search is underway off the coast of La-Gaulette, in the southwest of the island, following the disappearance of a young man during a kitesurfing session.

Tareq Narod, 28, from Beau Bassin, has been missing since Sunday July 6th. His father, a 64-year-old businessman, reported him missing after visiting the site around 1 p.m.

When he arrived, he found his son’s car, a white BMW, parked near the beach.

The keys and personal belongings were inside, but there was no sign of Tareq or his kitesurfing equipment.

Concerned, the father questioned beachgoers. Several witnesses said they saw Tareq in the water earlier that day, with his kitesurfing gear.

Fearing for his son’s safety, he quickly went to the nearby St. Regis Hotel to alert authorities.

The response was swift and large-scale. A command post was set up at Pointe Sud-Ouest, and maritime patrols were launched by the National Coast Guard (NCG).

The Special Mobile Force (SMF), along with other police units, was also deployed. Police helicopters flew over the area multiple times, and a sniffer dog tracked a trail leading toward the sea, raising concerns that Tareq may have been swept out to sea.

Land Search

Searches on land around Pointe Sud-Ouest, Kite-Lagoon, and Trou-Chenille have so far yielded no results.

An initial examination of Tareq’s vehicle by Crime Scene investigators found no suspicious signs. Authorities currently do not suspect foul play.

Tareq’s father confirmed that he was an experienced kitesurfer who knew how to swim and had no known health issues.

His sudden disappearance remains a mystery. Search efforts continued into Monday 7th July, and anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the police promptly.

Source: Le Mauricien