Police search for British cyclist who disappeared in Israeli desert

Ollie McAfee's possessions found at camp on desert trail

Ollie McAfee went missing while biking in the Israel desert (Missing: Ollie McAfree in Israel/Facebook)

Police and rescue teams are searching for a cyclist from Northern Ireland who went missing in the Israeli desert.

Ollie McAfee, 29, was last seen on 21 November cycling on the Israel National Trail a few miles from the desert city of Mitzpe Ramon.

The gardener, from County Down, quit his job in April last year to set off on a biking trip across Europe.

He was due to return home in early December but family and friends grew concerned when he missed his flight home.

His friend, Mark Fletcher, said: “As time passed without contact, we became concerned that we hadn’t heard from him and started reaching out to people he had stayed with in the past and friends in Israel. Since then, as we still have no contact and no response.”

Mr McAfee had been staying with a friend in Israel before leaving to visit the Wise Observatory. Tourists found his tablet, wallet and keys close to the landmark, before further possessions including his bike, bag and shoes were discovered at an apparent camp nearby.

Israeli authorities said Mr McAfee’s passport had not been used to leave the country.

They are working with Interpol and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in a search involving soldiers, helicopters, dogs and desert rescue teams.

Friends have set up a Facebook page to spread news of Mr McAfee’s disappearance.

His uncle, Clive McAfee, told The Daily Telegraph: “We are obviously devastated.

“It’s very unusual for someone to go off the grid in Israel for such a long time, the authorities have said it’s virtually unknown.

“It’s all quite odd, nothing’s really adding up.”

Inspector Micky Rosenfeld, of Israeli police, said there was no evidence of foul play and that it was possible Mr McAfee had got lost.

“Police are continuing a wide scale search of the southern Negev region,” he added.

“At the moment the area which we’re focusing on is down south near Mitzpe Ramon.

“Until any clear evidence comes up we’re optimistic.”