Adelaide teen swept into ocean at Granite Island on September 1
- Mehdi Habibi, a 17-year-old teenager, was swept into the ocean at Granite Island on September 1 while posing for a photo.
- A large-scale search operation was conducted for ten days, involving police helicopters and divers, but was ultimately called off.
- The family, originally from Afghanistan, has received community support through a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $2,600.
On September 1, a tragic incident occurred at Granite Island, near Victor Harbour in South Australia, when 17-year-old Mehdi Habibi was swept into the ocean by a large wave while walking on the rocks. The teenager, who had been visiting with his family from Adelaide, was last seen moments after asking his brother to take his photo. The family, originally from Afghanistan, had recently reunited with their father in Australia after a long journey from Pakistan. Following the incident, a large-scale search operation was launched, involving police helicopters, specialist divers, and drones. Despite the extensive efforts over ten days, the search was ultimately called off, leaving the family devastated. Mehdi's father expressed his heartbreak and determination to continue searching for his son, while his mother faced severe stress, requiring hospitalization. The family has been supported by the Adelaide Sisters Association, which initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist them during this difficult time. The fundraiser has raised over $2,600 in just three days, highlighting the community's compassion and support for the grieving family. Mehdi had aspirations of studying to become an electrician and was actively involved in helping run the family store in Adelaide. His disappearance has left a profound impact on his family, who continue to hope for a miracle amidst their sorrow.