People go missing for various reasons, and behind each disappearance, there is a story—a family searching, a friend yearning, a person lost. In Spain, one organisation has dedicated itself to raising awareness and helping find them.
SOS Desaparecidos, a non-profit association founded in Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, in 2010, has been actively collaborating since 2007 to spread awareness about missing persons of all ages whose families are left grappling with the unknown.
The role of SOS Desaparecidos
Requests for disappearance alerts reach SOS Desaparecidos through multiple channels, each crucial in bringing these individuals back to their families.
Family contacts
Families desperate for information can reach out to SOS Desaparecidos through a dedicated 24/7 hotline at 645 075 293 or via email. Additionally, the organisation is accessible through various social media platforms and regional coordinators across Spain. When families make contact, the organisation needs as much information as possible. This includes a formal complaint, a clear photo of the missing person, physical descriptions, and details like hair colour, eye colour, height, age, clothing, name, place, and day of disappearance, and a telephone contact.
Police involvement
When police are involved, an official complaint may not be necessary, but the other information is crucial for their efforts.
Media and publicised disappearances
Information from media reports and publicised disappearances is also used to collaborate in locating missing persons.
Resolution and alert withdrawal
Once a missing person is located, it is vital that the initial complaint is officially withdrawn, and all involved organisations and media outlets spreading the alert are promptly notified.
Recent cases
Here are just some of the most recent missing persons cases, as reported by SOS Desaparecidos:
Francisco Jose Teruel Ruiz: Missing from Murcia since January 19.
Yerai Martínez López: Missing from Paracuellos de Jarama, Madrid, since January 19.
Ainhoa Ayuso Pulgar: Missing from Paracuellos de Jarama, Madrid, since January 19. A 17-year-old with dark brown hair and eyes.
Jose Miguel Herrera Gonzalez: Missing from Guia de Isora, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, since January 20. A 59-year-old with brown eyes and short brown hair.
Esperanza Del Alamo Segui: Missing since January 21 from El Campello, Alicante. A 27-year-old described as very vulnerable.
Abderrahim Moutaouakkil: Missing since January 22, last seen at Hospital Duran y Reinals – Bellvitge, Barcelona.
Manuela Castillejo Calderon: A 67-year-old missing from Badajoz since January 23, vulnerable and in need of medication.
Raymon Franciscus: Missing from Madrid since yesterday. A 20-year-old with black hair and blue eyes.
Luis Trigueros Juan: Missing since yesterday from Santa Eulali des Riu, Balearic Islands. A 78-year-old described as vulnerable.
Can you help?
If you have any information on the above, or anyone else you believe to have gone missing, you can contact the police
There are many, many more people listed as missing on the SOS Desaparecidos website. If you have any information of the above, or anyone else on the website, you can call to the 24 hour assistance number (0034) 649 952 957 / 642 650 775, or send an email to info@sosdesaparecidos.es or complete their official online form.
