Hebrides News

 

 

 

A specialist search team is due to carry out a three-day search in Stornoway for  Aleksandr Benga who was reported missing in November.

The team which is understood to include up to five search dogs are expected to focus their activities in the Lews Castle Grounds where the 16-year-old was last seen on 18 November.

Over £7,000 has been donated to a fund raising campaign to help finance the search.

CalMac has generously offered to cover the ferry travel costs of the team.

Organisers are a small group of individuals who approached Aleksandr’s distraught mum, Viktoria, to offer some help to try and find outside assistance.

They said: “With Viktoria’s blessing we have liaised with Specialist Search Dog, a charity which had assisted in over 70 searches in Scotland alone.

“In addition to the dogs they also have drone specialists who will also be assisting with the search.”

The team hope to arrive on Lewis in around two weeks.

The online fundraiser is to help with search costs including travel expenses for the team coming from various locations in the UK, ferry costs, fuel, food and accommodation.

“Every single penny we raise will be used for the search and every single penny matters so please give what you can,” say organisers.

Aleksandr is described as 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with short brown hair. When last seen, he was wearing a beige jumper and black jeans. He may also have a red jacket and a yellow beanie hat.

The donation page is available at: Search Fund For Aleksandr Benga.

 

Specialist dog team to conduct fresh search for missing Stornoway teenager this weekend  

 

21 January 2025