Missing cases in Germany: alarming numbers and important facts

Find out how the LKA and BKA work on missing people in Germany, including data, causes and search measures.
Find out how the LKA and BKA work on missing people in Germany, including data, causes and search measures. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

Missing cases in Germany: alarming numbers and important facts

A 17-year-old girl from Rivenich has been missing since March 13, 2025. The concern for your well -being is great, since in the case of minors, a danger to life or life must be assumed as long as there is no other investigative findings. According to the State Criminal Police Office (LKA), one person is missing if they have left their usual living and their whereabouts is unknown.

The LKA describes the specific criteria for the classification of missing persons. For minors, like the missing girl, these criteria are particularly crucial. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) emphasizes that an immediate search for people must be initiated in the event of minors. The local police departments are responsible for this.

Current situation and search

The local police have already started taking measures to find the girl. In the event of acute danger, large -scale searches are used, often in cooperation with the riot police and emergency services. An important help with these searches is the location of mobile phones, which has proven to be a decisive instrument when looking for the missing person, as experience shows.

On January 1, 2025, a total of approximately 9,420 missing cases were registered in Germany. There are between 200 and 300 new cases every day. The reconnaissance rate is gratifyingly high: around 50% of the cases will clarify within a week. Around 18,100 children were reported missing in 2024, with 96.7% of these cases being clarified before the end of the year.

background and causes

The disappearance of people can have different causes. As a rule, these are torn teenagers or people with health problems, such as dementia patients. Even criminal backgrounds cannot be excluded. The BKA informs that more than two thirds of the missing people are male and the number of unexplained cases of missing children has been around 1,900 since 1957.

The police and the BKA work closely together to find missing people as quickly as possible. If someone has information about the girl's disappearance, it is important to report it to the police immediately.

The central file "Vermi/Utot" of the BKA contains comprehensive data on missing persons, and the support of the public can have a decisive influence on the solution of such cases. The current provisions and procedures in dealing with missing persons are aimed at ensuring a quick and safe finding.

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