Search Intensifies for Missing 80-Year-Old Man in Blekinge
Authorities are intensifying the search for an 80-year-old man missing in Blekinge after a distress call was cut off.
Key Points
- • An 80-year-old man went missing in Blekinge after a distress call to police.
- • He was driving a blue Dacia Logan when he reported being lost and need for assistance.
- • Extensive search operations are underway, utilizing police, helicopters, and the Coast Guard.
- • Public assistance is being sought to locate the man and his vehicle.
An extensive search is underway for an 80-year-old man who went missing in the forests of Blekinge, Sweden, after fading call from the police revealed he was lost and needed help. The man, who was last known to be driving a blue Dacia Logan, contacted emergency services on Tuesday, stating he drove into a ditch and was disoriented about his location before the call abruptly disconnected. Evelina Olsson, a spokesperson for the police, noted the urgency of locating him due to his age and the need for food and water, stressing that he could be in distress due to the circumstances.
After dropping a relative off at Kallinge Airport, the man reported being stuck. Unfortunately, the call ended when his phone lost power, which police maintain has severely hindered search efforts. Police estimated they could have located him quickly had his phone remained operational. The terrain presents additional challenges with dense forests and minimal cell coverage, making searches more difficult.
Search efforts have drawn in significant resources including police patrols, motorcycle officers, helicopters, as well as assistance from the Coast Guard and volunteer groups. As search operations expand, authorities have focused on an area of approximately four kilometers, amidst reports he might have been spotted near Tving in the Karlskrona municipality.
The missing man is described as being 185 cm tall, weighing around 80 kg, and was last seen wearing black pants, a black jacket, a gray sweater, and a white t-shirt. Police are actively seeking sightings of his vehicle, with appeals for public assistance to report any relevant information about the missing man or his car. They encourage the public to contact police at 112 with tips to aid in the search.