Fears for Omani student missing in Australia for over a month

Fears are mounting about an Omani student who went missing in Australia over the weekend, with the sultanate's consulate confirming she did not leave the country.

Aisha Bint Salem Al-Ghaithi, a student at the University of Queensland, was reported missing on Sunday after she failed to return to classes following a mid-term break.

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) July 28, 2019" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Have you seen Aaisha? Police are seeking public assistance to help locate her. She was last seen at St Lucia on June 26.https://t.co/4KBpoyP1Of pic.twitter.com/YZotvgEvyn — Queensland Police (@QldPolice) July 28, 2019

The 28-year-old last spoke to her family a month ago, Oman's consulate in Australia reported.

Reports that Al-Ghaithi might have left the country were dismissed by the ministry of higher education.

"Dr Hamoud bin Amer Al-Wardi, Consul General of the Sultanate, for Australia said that the Omani student is still being sought in coordination with Australian police and relevant authorities. In the morning, we received confirmation from the Immigration Service that the student did not leave Australia," the ministry said in an online statement.

"The Consulate wishes to emphasise that the safety of the student is now a priority. We ask everyone not to spread rumors and take news from the Consulate General of Oman in Australia, which will provide the latest updates on the investigation."

Al-Ghaithi was last seen on the morning of the 26 June at the university's St Lucia campus, according to Australian and Omani media.

Queenland Police also issued a statement about her disappearance.

"Aisha had previously been living in Brisbane CBD accommodation but left in February 2019. She has not made any contact with family and police and her family hold concerns for her welfare as she has a medical condition," the report said.

Queensland Police urged anyone with any information about the student to contact them on 131 444.