A HEARTBROKEN relative of Waseem Al-Muflehi, one of the teenagers lost at sea in Barmouth on Sunday, has described the “horrendous” situation facing him and his family.

Adel Huwstin, Waseem’s cousin, has travelled to Barmouth with two of his friends to continue the search for his missing relation, even after the coastguard officially called off their extensive search-and-rescue operation at Tuesday lunchtime.

Waseem, 14, and Yahye Mohamed, 15, are feared drowned. A third person, a man, was rescued by beach wardens.

All three tourists were on a coach trip from Birmingham and got into difficulty in the “choppy” conditions off Barmouth Beach.

“We’re still looking, there’s people patrolling the beaches to see what we can find. It is just keeping us busy now,” Adel told the Cambrian News.

“It’s a very difficult time, a horrendous time for all of the family and friends. I don’t have the words to express how we are feeling right now, how could anyone?”

Adel was close to his 14-year-old cousin Waseem, who is an only child, and described him as a “very happy guy” who could “befriend anyone in moments”.

“I don’t know if he knew the other guy or not but I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d just met that day, he was like that,” he added. “He just makes you feel like he’s known you forever, his smile, he’s just made of good intentions.

“They were just two young lads having a laugh. It’s terrible it’s ended up like this.

“The family are supporting each other. The whole community is doing everything we can. It’s just a case of wait and see now.”