Aussie teenager plunges to his death while paragliding on family holiday
Hussein Mearbany, 16, was paragliding over Sahel Aalma, about 20 minutes north of Beirut, on May 10 when he slipped out of the lightweight aircraft and fell more than 300m to the ground, killing him instantly.
Authorities believe the teenager's harness was not properly secured and are working to track the paragliding instructor who allegedly went into hiding following the tragedy.
The owner of the paragliding company, which is based in nearby Jounieh, has been arrested, according to local media reports.
Hussein's cousin Sam Merbani told 7NEWS.com.au the teenager, from western Sydney, was just two weeks into a holiday with his mother and siblings at the time of the tragedy.
Merbani said a funeral was held for her cousin in the days after his death and the family made the decision to lay the teenager to rest in Lebanon. Local authorities have launched an investigation into Hussein Mearbany's death. Credit: Social media
'When his father heard the news he flew (from Sydney) to Lebanon to see him,' she said.
'The family arrives back to Sydney on the 21st (of May).
'The day they leave Lebanon is going to be the hardest day of their life.'
Harrowing footage provided to 7NEWS.com.au shows Hussein's final moments as he took off on the ill-fated journey.
In the video, the teenager can be seen strapped in front of the instructor as they ran off a the edge of a cliff.
Other videos circulating online reportedly show the teenager falling through the sky moments later. Footage shows his final moments as he took off for the ill-fated flight. Credit: Supplied
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Lebanon.
'We send our deepest condolences to their family at this difficult time,' DFAT said.
'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.'
Members of the Islamic community gathered in Mearbany's home suburb of Guildford earlier this month to offer their prayers for the teenager whose life was tragically cut short.
'(He) went to Lebanon for a holiday — full of dreams, excitement, and the energy of youth. Like many young men, he wanted to feel the adrenaline of flying, so he went hang gliding off the mountain peaks of Lebanon,' one tribute post reads.
'What was meant to be a moment of thrill became his final moment.
'May Allah grant his family patience and reunite them with him in the highest levels of Jannah.
'And as for us — still breathing, still planning, still distracted — take this as a wake-up call. The only promise in life is death.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia grants asylum to HK pro-democracy activist
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former MP says, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. "When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?" he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home." The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours. The Hong Kong government and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the decision. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party MP, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put $HK1 million ($A196,000) bounties on their heads. Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law. Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former MP says, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. "When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?" he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home." The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours. The Hong Kong government and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the decision. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party MP, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put $HK1 million ($A196,000) bounties on their heads. Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law. Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former MP says, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. "When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?" he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home." The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours. The Hong Kong government and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the decision. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party MP, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put $HK1 million ($A196,000) bounties on their heads. Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law. Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former MP says, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. "When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?" he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home." The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours. The Hong Kong government and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the decision. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party MP, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put $HK1 million ($A196,000) bounties on their heads. Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law. Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Australia grants asylum to HK pro-democracy activist
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former MP says, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. "When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?" he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home." The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours. The Hong Kong government and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the decision. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party MP, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put $HK1 million ($A196,000) bounties on their heads. Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law. Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.
Sky News AU
7 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Beijing accuses Australia of fabricating Chinese espionage threat
Beijing has accused Australia of fabricating the threat of espionage – after a Chinese woman was charged with foreign interference in Canberra. In a statement, China's Ministry of State Security labelled itself as an innocent victim being accused of 'unfounded claims' about foreign spying. It went on to say in recent years, Beijing had uncovered several Australian-instigated spies and 'acted in accordance with the law' to protect its sovereignty. The statement also suggested some figures in Canberra don't want to see a healthy relationship with China.
