A Dubai family has revived its search for Amin. The boy vanished as a five‑ or six‑year‑old during the MV Dara tragedy in April 1961 and has never been found. The disaster left many families searching for answers, and this family has never stopped looking.
Sixty‑five years later, the family says a video posted online gave them information they had never known before. The clip allegedly shows a man on the ship picking up the young boy and handing him to a woman on a lifeboat, telling her the child was from Dubai and asking her to return him to his family. The video resurfaced after the family launched a new Instagram page to crowdsource leads.
New clues spark renewed hope
The family member who spoke to Khaleej Times said the video prompted them to revisit old accounts and explore possible links to Bahrain. They are also open to DNA testing if anyone claims to be Amin or a descendant. "We didn’t know about it for 65 years," the family member said. The mention of Bahrain reflects historic ties between the emirate and the island nation during the era of the disaster.
According to the account, the man could not board the lifeboat and therefore handed Amin to a woman, hoping she would reunite the child with his relatives. The family believes that if Amin survived, he would be about 71 or 72 years old today, based on his being five or six at the time of the sinking.
Family reaches out via Instagram
To broaden the search, the relatives launched the ‘Find Amin’ Instagram page about a year ago. The page aims to connect with people whose parents or grandparents may have been involved in the rescue, or who might hold photographs, records, or stories from 1961. The social‑media effort reflects a modern approach to solving historic mysteries.
“We miss you, and we are still waiting for the day Allah unites us with you. We have never forgotten you.”
— Unnamed family member
The relative asked to remain anonymous, noting that the family has faced scammers since the search gained attention online. They hope the social‑media appeal will finally bring closure to a story that has haunted the family for generations. The family's persistence underscores the lasting impact of the MV Dara disaster on Emirati families.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to the missing boy Amin from the MV Dara disaster?
Amin vanished at age five or six during the MV Dara tragedy in April 1961; his family has never found him, but a recent video appears to show a man handing him to a woman on a lifeboat, prompting a renewed search.
How old would Amin be today if he survived the MV Dara sinking?
If Amin survived, he would be about 71 or 72 years old today, based on being five or six when the ship sank in 1961.
What clues did the Dubai family find that revived the search for Amin?
The family saw an online video that seems to show a man on the MV Dara picking up Amin and giving him to a woman on a lifeboat, which led them to revisit old records and consider links to Bahrain.
How can I help the search for Amin from the MV Dara tragedy?
The family created a ‘Find Amin’ Instagram page to crowdsource leads; anyone with photographs, records, or stories from 1961—or who may be a descendant—can contact them through that page.
Is DNA testing being considered to identify Amin or his descendants?
Yes, the family said they are open to DNA testing if anyone claims to be Amin or a descendant, hoping it could confirm his identity.
