Young Boy with Down Syndrome Still Missing After 10 Days; Extensive Search Continues Despite Harsh Weather
Gurkovo, Bulgaria — The search for 13-year-old Nikolai continues for the tenth day, with no trace of the young boy found yet. Konaре Mayor Stancho Stefanov confirmed the ongoing effort to locate the missing teen, who has Down syndrome.
In support of the local police force and emergency services, military personnel joined the search on December 24. Minister of Internal Affairs Atanas Ilkov visited the scene that day, vowing that the search would not cease until every possible effort has been exhausted to find Nikolai.
On December 22, the family’s dog was found, providing a glimmer of hope, but no sign of Nikolai has been discovered since his disappearance on December 17. Police are considering all possibilities, from accidental loss to criminal act, while Nikolai’s mother, Denka Ilieva, remains convinced that her son was kidnapped. "I cannot think of anything else," she stated.
ágAuthorities have deployed various resources in the search, including police and firefighter units, gendarmerie, voluntary search teams, helicopters, drones with thermal cameras, tracking dogs, and dive teams for nearby waters. Minister Ilkov has assured the public that air support will resume as soon as weather conditions permit.
However, the search operation faces escalating adverse weather conditions, posing additional challenges to the ongoing effort to locate Nikolai and bring him home safely.
(BTA)
