Only on an ad hoc basis

More footprints of missing boy found

Arian (6) had left his home unnoticed and wandered into a wooded area.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/dpa/Peter Kneffel, Polizeiinspektion Rotenburg, Krone KREATIV)

Six-year-old Arian from Bremervörde in Germany has been missing for a week. "We have now found some footprints again over the weekend," said a police spokesperson on Monday. There was renewed hope that the autistic six-year-old could be found. Nevertheless, the active search for Arian will end on Tuesday.

"We will no longer be on site here from tomorrow", said a police spokesperson on Monday evening. However, an investigation team will continue to work on the case. Hundreds of emergency services and volunteers had been searching for the boy since April 22. According to the police, they combed 5300 hectares on land, on water and from the air. Around 800 people were involved every day, including many special forces with dogs, horses, helicopters, drones, boats and diving equipment. "We wanted to do everything humanly possible to find Arian," said the police spokesperson.

Police: "We are putting a lot of effort into this" 
The emergency services now want to proceed selectively and follow up specific leads. "We take all information seriously", emphasized the spokesperson. "We are putting a lot of effort into this." The police have now also set up an investigation team. The Bundeswehr is no longer involved in the search.

Authorities "overwhelmed" by offers of help
The desperate search for Arian has not left the population indifferent either. Many want to take part in the operation. The offers are so numerous that the police have asked on Platform X to refrain from further requests. "We are overwhelmed," said the executive, expressing their thanks and promising to let them know when the public would be involved in the measures again. Owners of storage rooms, sheds or similar premises were once again asked by the police to check them.

The army also took part in the search.(Bild: APA/dpa/Moritz Frankenberg)

The six-year-old disappeared from his home on Monday evening last week - wearing socks and rather light clothing, according to the police. They assume that the boy ran away on his own. A surveillance camera had filmed the boy running towards an adjacent forest after disappearing from his parents' house. The father immediately alerted the police when he noticed that the child was no longer at home.

Lower Saxony's Minister President Stephan Weil thanked the emergency services on Monday. "This is a difficult operation for them too - I am aware of that," the SPD politician said. The search operation was an impressive example of compassion and solidarity. "I'm probably like many people, I really hope that Arian will now be found quickly and hopefully alive," Weil emphasized. "My sympathy goes especially to Arian's parents, who are in an unbearable situation between fear and hope."