The search for a teenage refugee swept off rocks while posing for a photo on Father’s Day has been called off.
Mehdi Habibi, 17, was last seen walking on the large rocks at Granite Island, near Victor Harbour in South Australia on September 1 when a large wave dragged him into ocean.
The teen and his family had been visiting from Adelaide when tragedy struck.
His shattered family has gathered at the site to keep a close vigil on the search every day since, praying for a miracle.
After 10 days of scouring the water, authorities called off the search for Mehdi on Wednesday night.
The large scale search included police helicopters specialist divers and drones to search rock cavities.
‘Police would like to thank the volunteers and emergency services involved for their dedicated efforts throughout the 10-day operation,’ a police statement said.
Mehdi’s father Sayed vowed to continue to going to Victor Harbor in the hopes of recovering his son.
Mehdi Habibi, 17, was filmed by his brother walking on large rocks at South Australia’s Granite Island before a wave swept him out to sea
Medhi, who only gained permanent residency in Australia last year had dreams of becoming an electrician
‘I have to, what else am I meant to do?’ he asked Seven News.
‘I don’t like to work, I can’t do anything, I’m just pacing up and down the area he was last seen.
‘My heart is shattered when we end the day and he isn’t found.’
Mehdi’s mother spent several days in hospital due to the stress of her son’s disappearance.
‘She’s up and down (emotionally), it is very hard, she’s a mother,’ Mr Habibi said.
Mehdi’s brother Sahil recorded the moment the teen was struck by the wave on his phone as the teen tried to stand up on the rock surface.
‘My brother said ‘take my photo’ and I [took] his photo,’ Sahil told Seven News last week.
Mehdi was dragged into the ocean seconds later.
Mehdi Habibi’s family has spent the last 10 days watching the search, praying for a miracle
The teens, who are originally from Afghanistan, arrived in Australia last year from Pakistan, where they were reunited with their father and other relatives.
Medhi’s family are refugees who fled the Baghlan province of Afghanistan in 1998 while the country was under Taliban rule.
They lived in Pakistan for some time, where Mehdi was born, but then arrived by boat on Christmas Island in 2010.
However, it was only last year that the teens got permission to stay in Australia.
Mehdi was due to celebrate his birthday just a week after he went missing. wanted to study at TAFE become an electrician and better his life.
After school each day Mehdi would help run the family store on Prospect Rd in Adelaide before going home and doing his homework.
The search for missing teen Mehdi Habibi (pictured) ended on Wednesday night
A GoFundMe has been started for the family by charity group the Adelaide Sisters Association.
‘Adelaide Sisters Association have become aware of the distress, pain and trauma Mehdis father, mother, little brother and family have all been under during this time as well as a loss of income whilst they continue to search daily for their son,’ the page states.
‘We hope that by raising some funds for the family we can provide some ease and lift some stress and burdens during this already incredibly difficult time.
‘If you are unable to donate we ask kindly for your prayers (dua) for Mehdi and his family as they navigate this heartbreakingly painful and challenging situation.
The fundraiser has raised more than $2,600 within three days.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk