The Saudi Embassy in Cairo has addressed the controversy surrounding the disappearance of Saudi citizen Hattan bin Ghazi Shahta, confirming that search efforts are ongoing.
In a statement, the Saudi Embassy said that in response to inquiries about Shahta’s disappearance in Cairo, it has been actively engaged with official and security authorities in Egypt since the first day of his disappearance.
The Egyptian authorities immediately initiated search and investigation procedures to determine Shahta’s whereabouts and the circumstances of his disappearance.
The embassy explained, “Utilizing available surveillance cameras, the cameras recorded the moment he left the area where he was residing in the Fifth Settlement before his disappearance.”
The embassy highlighted that the intensive search is still ongoing by security authorities, with continuous follow-up from the embassy and coordination with Shahta’s family.
Shahta’s family and friends have appealed to both Egyptian and Saudi authorities for urgent intervention to locate him, providing all available details regarding the incident.
Last April, the Saudi Cabinet authorized the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services to negotiate with the Egyptian side regarding a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of maritime connectivity.
This initiative aims to facilitate passenger transport across the Gulf of Aqaba between the Saudi Public Transport Authority and the Egyptian Ministry of Transport.
The Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern arm of the Red Sea, is nestled between the Sinai Peninsula to the east and the Arabian Peninsula to the west.
Spanning approximately 180 kilometres in length, the Gulf of Aqaba varies in width from 19 to 28 kilometres and reaches a depth of up to 1,850 meters at its deepest point, covering an area of about 239 square kilometres.
