The story of Omar bin Omran is one of the most harrowing tales to emerge in recent history. Missing for 27 years, the Algerian man was found alive in May 2024, hidden in the cellar of his neighbor’s house in Djelfa, Algeria. His disappearance, which coincided with the Algerian Civil War, led many to believe that he had perished during the conflict. The reality, however, was far more sinister.
The Disappearance
In 1997, Omar bin Omran was a 17-year-old living in Djelfa, a region plagued by the violence of the Algerian Civil War. One day, Omar vanished without a trace. His family searched tirelessly, but with the chaos of war and lack of concrete evidence, they were forced to accept the likelihood that Omar had been abducted and killed. Over time, his case became another tragic footnote in a nation already suffering immense loss.
But Omar had not left Djelfa. Unknown to his family, he was held captive less than 200 meters from his home, in the most unlikely of places—his neighbor’s cellar. His captor, a civil servant now identified as a 61-year-old man, had kidnapped Omar and kept him hidden for nearly three decades. The cellar, located beneath a sheep pen and concealed with hay, became Omar’s prison.
The Discovery
The breakthrough in Omar’s case came in May 2024, when a post on social media, linked to an inheritance dispute, hinted at Omar’s whereabouts. The police acted swiftly, securing a search warrant and raiding the neighbor’s property. Inside the cellar, they found Omar, alive but in a severely weakened state. The sheer proximity of his captivity to his home—less than 200 meters away—adds a haunting layer to the story.
Upon discovery, Omar was immediately taken to a local hospital where he received medical treatment. Despite the physical and psychological toll of 27 years in captivity, Omar began to show signs of improvement. His recovery, though slow, has been remarkable, and recent photos shared by his family show a man who, though visibly aged and scarred, is beginning to heal.
The Aftermath
The discovery of Omar led to the arrest of his neighbor and seven other accomplices, who are now facing charges ranging from kidnapping to human trafficking. The main suspect, Omar’s neighbor, is said to have masterminded the abduction. He, along with his accomplices, allegedly kept Omar in the cellar to perform rituals, although the full extent of their motives remains unclear.
One of the most tragic aspects of Omar’s story is that his mother, who never gave up hope that her son was alive, passed away in 2013. She died without knowing that Omar was so close, yet so far from being rescued.
This is his latest photo :
