As of: April 26, 2024 10:36 p.m
Six-year-old Arian has been missing from Bremervörde for four nights. There is a “quiet strategy” for the fifth night. The Bundeswehr uses night vision devices.
“Stopping” is what you hear again and again in the Bremervörde district of Elm (Rotenburg district), that is not an option. Hundreds of people continue to search for the autistic boy. They have been searching for the six-year-old for the past four nights with lights, fireworks and music because he likes it, but the rescue workers are now changing their strategy: On Saturday night there will be a quiet search so as not to scare Arian. A police spokeswoman said this on Friday evening. Soldiers are searching for the missing child in small groups with night vision devices in Elm and northwest of the town. The operational strategy was coordinated with an autism expert, among others, said the police spokeswoman.
Small groups search the Elm district
On Friday, the search for Arian focused again on the Oste River northwest of Elm and the district of Elm itself. The strategy was also adjusted: the emergency services formed small groups instead of chains, as a police spokesman said. New search corridors have also been set up. Along the east, the river was searched north towards Kranenburg. There is great concern that the boy may have fallen into the water. In addition to police, fire brigade and German Red Cross (DRK) forces, the Bundeswehr is on duty. During the afternoon, 150 additional soldiers from the Air Force’s Object Protection Regiment in Schortens (Friesland district) arrived in Bremervörde to provide support. According to the Bundeswehr, a total of more than 450 soldiers are currently taking part in the search operation.
“Hope among the emergency services is still extremely high”
In addition, according to the fire department, garbage collection was canceled on Friday so that helpers could search for the boy in the bins. Manhole covers, sheds and garages had also been opened. According to information from NDR Lower Saxony, the emergency services also placed a focus on the sewer system during the search. According to the police, because Arian is autistic, he cannot articulate himself and cannot respond to being spoken to – including when his name is called. But despite all the strategies: There has been no sign of life from Arian so far. “The hope among the emergency services is still extremely high,” said police spokeswoman Sara Mehnen. “But we know that time is against us.”
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Cones of light and children’s songs are intended to attract Arian
On Friday night, the police set up spotlights in the search area that projected a beam of light into the sky and played children’s songs until the morning. The police hoped to provide an incentive for the missing boy. “The boy may react positively to something like this,” said a spokesman. On Thursday, around 250 soldiers from the army base in Seedorf (Rotenburg district) arrived to help with the search.
Six-year-old is traveling without a jacket or shoes
Arian left the house only lightly dressed.
The emergency services repeatedly emphasize that the situation is serious: According to the police, the boy left his home on Monday evening only lightly dressed: an ochre-yellow long-sleeved sweater, black sweatpants – and no shoes. This was confirmed by images from a private surveillance camera in the area, it was said.
Search for Arian with drones and dogs
The police, fire brigade, German Life Saving Society (DLRG) and German Red Cross (DRK) have been in large-scale operations since Monday evening – with extensive technical equipment. “It is very impressive how motivated the emergency services are here,” said city fire chief Schwarz to NDR Lower Saxony. In Elm, the community center, the gym and the fire station were opened. “We give them all the support we can give the emergency services here,” Elm’s local mayor Erich Gajdzik (CDU) told NDR Lower Saxony.
Police have set up a tip line
The police in Bremervörde have set up a tip line. Anyone who has anything to say about the boy’s whereabouts is asked to call Telephone number (04761) 7489-135 or -144 Report to.
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