Teen missing for two days in ‘extremely cold weather not suitably dressed’

An urgent search is ongoing for a teenager who has been missing for days in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, where the Arctic blast has brought freezing weather.

Aleksandr Benga, 16, has been missing for days after he was last seen in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, also know as the Western Isles.

The teen was last spotted at about 8.45am on Monday near the water wheel in the ground of Lews Castle.

Concern is growing for Aleksandr who ‘isn’t suitably dressed for the weather,’ Police Scotland said as the force asked people to check gardens and outbuildings.

He is described as 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with short brown hair.

Last time he was seen, he was wearing a beige jumper and black jeans and he may have had a red jacket.

Inspector David Hall said: ‘Extensive searches are ongoing across Stornoway, and we are being assisted by partners and officers travelling from the mainland in order to trace Aleksandr as soon as possible.

‘We are reviewing CCTV to establish which direction Aleksandr has travelled. I would ask anyone with private CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to please review it and contact us if you think you’ve captured him passing.

‘It is extremely cold outside, and we think Aleksandr isn’t suitably dressed for the weather. Please check your gardens, outbuildings and sheds in case he may have sought shelter there.

‘As time goes on, we are growing increasingly concerned for this young man’s welfare.

Aleksandr, if you see this, please get in touch with us and let us know you are safe.’

The appeal comes after days of snow and ice have swept across most of Scotland, England and Wales.

In the Western Isles, temperatures have been near 0C since Monday and with Met Office yellow weather warnings in place.

Because of the island’s location off the Scottish mainland in the Atlantic, wind gusts of up to 50mph make 0C feel like -6C.

On Thursday night, Stornoway faces more snow and hail along with wind gusts of up to 53mph.

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