The Air Wing in Ras Al Khaimah has highlighted the urgent need of a tourism security unit in the emirate, citing the tremendous increase in the number of incidents in the emirate's mountains.

Major Saeed Rashid Al Yamahi, head of the Air Wing, said there was a need of an agency tasked with ensuring the safety and security of tourists since the number of climbers heading to RAK mountains had increased, and there have been incidents of climbers falling from great heights or losing their way in the mountains.

He stressed that the proposed unit would be solely responsible for the issues related to tourists and climbers.

"The proposed unit would be a source of information regarding the tourist sites in the mountains," he added.

Major Al Yamahi also urged private tourist companies to coordinate with the police, saying they should be more responsible in guiding the mountaineers.

He explained that officers had questioned scores of tourists after rescuing them and found that they had relied on false information from tourist companies.

The Air Wing receives reports of stranded tourists from the Operations Room of RAK Police. "Tourist companies should provide all information, the number of climbers and the expected time they would spend in the mountains," said Major Al Yamahi.

He noted that with the introduction of a tourism security unit, rescuers would be able to identify their location and have easy access to the mountaineers should they land in trouble. Climbing and trekking is also popular in Fujairah. Lt-Col Mohammad Ahmad Ganem, Director of Fujairah Police, said that though there have been very few emergencies related to mountaineers or trekkers, tourists must take all precautionary measures.

He said that it was advisable that mountain climbers new to the area sought guidance and gathered as much information as possible about the locations of their desired destinations prior to embarking on their trips. According to Major Al Yamahi, the RAK Air Wing has rescued six stranded tourists so far this year.

He said that investigations revealed that tourists who were not aware of the nature of mountainous areas usually got stranded. These areas have few trees for shelter.

He added that RAK Air Wing rescue personnel have knowledge of the mountain areas, mainly Wadi Ghaleelah and Wadi Al Bih, which are key destinations for mountaineers, and the helicopters are ready all the time to handle possible emergencies.