Turkey: 'Missing' man joins search party looking for himself

A man missing in Turkey accidentally joined his own search party for several hours before realising he was the person they were looking for, local media reports.

Beyhan Mutlu, 50, had been drinking with friends on Tuesday when he wandered into a forest in the western province of Bursa.

After failing to return, his wife and friends contacted local authorities and a search party was raised.

Coming across the search party, Mutlu decided to join them, Daily Sabah reported.

However, several hours later, when members of the search party began calling out his name, he replied: "I am here."

Mutlu was then taken aside by one of the rescuers to give a statement. “Don’t punish me too harshly, officer. My father will kill me,” he told them.

Authorities later gave Mutlu, from the city of Inegol, a drive home after taking his statement.

It was unclear whether he faced any penalty.

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.