‘Final sweep’ for boy, 2, missing in French Alps since Saturday

Emile went missing while staying with his grandparents

Emile went missing on Saturday afternoon (July 8) from his grandparent's house in the hamlet of Le Vernet

Gendarmerie Nationale

Zane Lilley Zane Lilley

Published Thursday 13 July 2023 - 15:13 Modified Thursday 13 July 2023 - 15:13

Gendarmes on Thursday (July 13) were undertaking one ‘final sweep’ for Emile, the two-year-old boy who went missing in the French Alps last Saturday (July 8).

The news of his disappearance sparked national attention, with search parties made up of hundreds of volunteers scouring the area.

After three days of searching, investigators said the case had entered a “new phase” on Tuesday (July 11) evening. Thursday’s hunt is the last one before the investigation turns fully inwards.

Officers will instead focus on collecting data from the hamlet of Le Vernet, where the boy disappeared, including phone records of the inhabitants.

Final search

Around 50 gendarmes are undertaking the final search.

The operation is “purely for security reasons”, said Digne-Les-Bains prosecutor Rémy Avon, adding it was not linked to a “new element” in the investigation.

Previous searches for the boy have seen an array of tools mobilised, including police sniffer dogs and infrared cameras.

Hundreds of volunteers from the local area also descended on the hamlet to help with search efforts.

On Tuesday evening Mr Avon said the investigation was “in the same place as yesterday… and the day before,” with no new information gained from the searches.

Previously, it was believed Emile had wandered off down the hamlet’s main road of his own accord, hence the numerous search parties.

The next steps

Investigators are now looking into the potential that something more sinister has occurred and have turned their attention inwards.

Interviews with the hamlet’s inhabitants are being conducted and data from the village taken around the time of the boy’s disappearance will be analysed. Mr Avon said “all hypotheses” will be examined during the investigation.

There is still a call for anyone with information to come forward, contacting either the local police or the mayor.

Officials have urged people to keep the lines clear, however, and only to call with new information on the case.

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