French police have launched a large-scale search operation to locate a two-year-old boy who went missing over the weekend while on holiday with his grandparents. Émile disappeared while playing in the garden of his grandparents’ home in the hamlet of Le Vernet, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, on Saturday afternoon.
According to officials, the family was preparing to leave the house they were staying in when Émile took advantage of a moment of inattention and vanished. His grandparents realized he was missing when they came to put him in the car.
At approximately 5:15 pm, Émile’s grandparents alerted the authorities about his disappearance. Soon after, family members, police, emergency service workers, and local villagers joined forces to search for the young boy.
Despite their efforts, Émile has not been found. As a result, the initial search area of 5 kilometres has been expanded. The search operation now involves the use of a helicopter, thermic camera drones, and sniffer dogs.
Émile was last seen wearing a yellow top, white shorts with a green pattern, and hiking shoes. He has brown eyes, and blond hair, and is approximately 90cm (almost 3ft) tall. Police have ruled out the possibility of abduction and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
François Balique, the mayor of Le Vernet, stated that the village consists of around 20 houses, making it easy to observe movements. Balique mentioned that Émile was known to be a good walker for his age and speculated that he may have ventured far or hidden himself.
The area around Le Vernet is surrounded by forests and is popular among hikers, posing challenges for search efforts. Experts believe that Émile’s age presents both advantages and disadvantages. While he may not be able to travel a great distance alone, his motor skills may hinder his ability to navigate difficult terrain.
As the search continues, the community is urged to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings or information that could assist in locating Émile. The authorities are sparing no effort in their search and are determined to bring Émile safely back to his family.
