Strict instructions

Search for Arian becomes a race against time

A note with information was distributed to helpers. It contains all the information about the boy, as well as instructions on what to do if he is found.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Hundreds of emergency services are still searching for Arian A in Elm in Bremervörde in Germany. There is still no trace of the missing six-year-old boy. Even the use of fireworks, balloons and music has not helped so far. Fireworks were set off on Saturday night in an attempt to track down the child. But now the search continues quietly and a note with strict instructions has also been distributed.

Hundreds of police officers, soldiers, search dogs, drones and a helicopter have been working for days to find the boy who disappeared on Monday evening. The German Armed Forces have also increased their support.

"Unconventional methods" to attract attention
According to the police, the child, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, does not respond when his name is called: "We have to search very closely because we have to assume that he will not come forward of his own accord." The emergency services are therefore using unconventional methods to try and find Arian.

Using a different strategy during the night, hundreds of forces continued the search for six-year-old Arian in Bremervörde, Germany, on Saturday morning.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/dpa/Daniel Bockwoldt, APA/Peter Kneffel, Polizeiinspektion Rotenburg, Krone KREATIV)

Arian (right) had left his parents' house alone on Monday evening. Hundreds of emergency services have been combing the area around Elm in Bremervörde for days.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/dpa/Peter Kneffel, Polizeiinspektion Rotenburg, Krone KREATIV)

To this end, children's songs were played on Friday, helium-filled balloons were distributed, fireworks were set off and large cones of light were thrown into the sky by skybeamers to attract the child's attention. But now the search continues "silently and quietly", in small groups of no more than five people. The reason: loud noises could frighten the boy.

Notes with instructions distributed
A piece of paper with instructions was distributed to helpers. It contains all the information about the boy, as well as instructions on what to do if he is found. According to the note, helpers can recognize Arian by his yellow and orange T-shirt (see photo above) and black jogging trousers. 

When calling for the child, to which the autistic child is highly unlikely to respond, repetitions should be avoided. Helpers should watch out for signs of picking, as the boy could be feeding on leaves and grass. It should also be borne in mind that Arian is a good climber and can scale high fences.

Helpers instructed: "I'll take you to mom" 
If the boy is found, strict conditions must be observed. Only one person is allowed to approach the child, but not to touch him. "I'm taking you home" or "I'm taking you to mummy" should be communicated in clear, unambiguous language. Cheering is forbidden, as are loud noises. If the boy is lying on the ground, he should be left in this position at all costs.

On Saturday, the search continued along the Oste river, but also again around Elm. In some places, multiple searches were necessary, the spokesperson said. "It is quite possible that the boy is also moving back and forth. What was negative yesterday may be positive today." At the same time, the search has already extended far into the neighboring district of Stade.

Residents and neighbors help with the search
Emergency services were out and about with night vision equipment and thermal imaging cameras, and numerous passers-by and local residents also offered their help in the search for the child.

Helpers are worried about the cold
Arian had left his parents' house on Monday evening alone and without a jacket in the direction of the neighboring forest. Hundreds of emergency services have been combing the area around Elm in Bremervörde, the six-year-old's hometown, for days.

In view of the low temperatures over the past few days, the search has become a race against time.

There is great concern that the boy may have fallen into the water. The rescuers were also out and about in the district once again. Barns and garages were searched and even manhole covers were lifted. The municipality had also canceled the garbage collection scheduled for Friday.