Kidnapping alert raised for girl, 8, missing in Dunkirk

Update 08/06 at 16:40: The kidnapping alert has been lifted, however the search for both daughter and father remain. All pictures of the two have been asked to be removed

An ‘Amber Alert’ has been issued to find a missing 8-year-old girl in Dunkirk in the north of France.

Malek Younes, who has long, black, curly hair and black eyes, disappeared from avenue de la Libération in the city during the night on Tuesday (June 6).

She is thought to be in the presence of her father, Jamel Younes, 40, 1.84m tall, black hair, normal build, with tattoos on his neck and wrist, who may be travelling in a green Renault Twingo, registration number DM 485 GJ.

It comes after reports of a 29-year-old woman being found dead with what appear to be strangulation marks. The victim had made complaints of partner violence in 2021 and the police were called to the home earlier on Tuesday after reports of a dispute but noted no signs of violence. Her partner, the father of the girl from a previous relationship, has a record of violence.

An ‘Amber alert’ is rare in France and is only raised in cases where a child is thought to be in imminent danger. It is not raised in cases of simple disappearance, even if serious. National media are requested to circulate the information.

Anyone seeing Malek or her father is asked not to intervene but to call 197 immediately or email alerte.enlevement@interieur.gouv.fr.