Lower Saxony
Where is Ariana? Helpers continue to search for the six-year-old
Children’s songs are now also played during the search and so-called skybeamers are used. photo
© Jonas Walzberg/dpa
Even after days of searching, the helpers don’t give up: hundreds comb the area near Bremervörde for Arian, including Bundeswehr soldiers. On Friday, the place of residence itself will be the focus again.
It’s a race against time, but the many helpers don’t give up in their search for six-year-old Arian, who has been living near Bremervörde in the north since Monday evening Lower Saxony is missing. Even early on Friday morning there were no further traces or clues to the boy’s whereabouts, a police spokeswoman said. “We still firmly believe that we can find Arian safely,” said Police Chief Inspector Michael Butt on Thursday.
On Friday night, additional search tools were used: children’s songs were played and so-called skybeamers were used. These are headlights that project a beam of light into the sky, the police said. Together with the children’s songs, the Skybeamers are intended to provide incentives for the missing boy to visit the places.
Check sheds and garages
After completing the search in the area along the Oste River in a northerly direction, the emergency services want to search the district where the boy lives again on Friday. According to a fire department spokesman, all sheds and garages should be opened and checked. Accordingly, garbage cans should also be searched. Garbage collection for this Friday has been canceled. Manhole covers should also be opened. The fire department wanted to provide information about the planned measures via loudspeakers.
On Thursday evening, the Bundeswehr increased the number of forces sent to the search area by 60 more Air Force soldiers. Around 250 soldiers had already arrived on Thursday. These were army forces from the municipality of Seedorf in Lower Saxony.
Search with drones and chocolate
During the search, helpers used drones, a helicopter and a Tornado plane that took aerial photos with a thermal imaging camera. In a wooded area adjacent to the boy’s family home, the helpers set up wildlife cameras to spot the child. The helpers also hung up balloons and chocolate in the hope of finding the boy. Fireworks were also set off because Arian liked that, as a police spokesman said.
Michael Butt from the Bremervörder police addressed the emergency services in the sports hall in Elm on Thursday. There have been several examples in the past that the boy could still be found safe and sound, the police said in a statement.
According to the information, Arian is autistic and does not respond to speech. The emergency services assumed that he would not report if he noticed people nearby. After several cold nights, the police spokesman spoke of a very serious situation. Police believe the boy left home on his own.