Rescue services in the French Alps are persisting in their search for a toddler who went missing in a hamlet, as the third day of efforts got underway on Tuesday. Two-and-a-half-year-old Emile was staying with his grandparents when he disappeared on Saturday. The last sighting of him was by two neighbours who observed him walking alone on a street in Haut-Vernet, a small village with only 25 inhabitants situated at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters.
“We’re not stopping the search; we are not losing hope,” declared Marc Chappuis, the local prefect, during a briefing with reporters on Monday evening. Despite combing through the area for 48 hours without success, the search is now transitioning to a more targeted and selective approach. Specialist forensic units have been called in, and additional interviews with locals are being conducted in the hope of finding any clues about the toddler’s whereabouts.
As of Tuesday, the site is restricted to outsiders, according to prosecutor Remy Avon. Investigators are currently facing a lack of leads regarding what may have happened to Emile. Avon stated, “All possible explanations are on the table; we’re not favoring any, and we’re not ruling any out.” Numerous witnesses have been questioned, and all inhabited houses in the hamlet have been searched, with the exception of two unoccupied residences. At present, there is no evidence to suggest foul play, the prosecutor added.
The search operation has drawn significant support from volunteers, with hundreds signing up to assist. “We took part in a big search this morning with 50 other people,” shared Roxane, a 19-year-old volunteer who joined with two friends on Monday. She described the search efforts, saying, “There was a gap of two meters (7 feet) between each of us. We looked in the fields and in the woods. We looked out for the smallest clue, maybe an item of clothing or a shoe he could have lost.”
The search area consists of hilly and rugged terrain, with numerous streams, while the region has been affected by a heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday. Police are still relying on witness statements in hopes of achieving a breakthrough. They have circulated a photograph of Emile, showcasing his blond hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a yellow top, white shorts, and hiking shoes on the day he disappeared.
As the search enters its third day, authorities and volunteers remain dedicated to locating Emile, with hopes of finding him safe and reuniting him with his family.
