200 persons still missing since 2004

547 cases of missing persons during 2013, ten found dead.

Police have received over 4,000 reports of missing people during the last ten years
Police have received over 4,000 reports of missing people during the last ten years

200 persons are still declared missing since 2004, with half of this figure being reported last year.

Sister newspaper Illum reveals that during 2013, 547 people were reported missing, with ten of those later on found dead.

During the last ten years, reports almost reached the 4,000 mark.

Eddie Attard, former police officer and author of several books, said the majority of missing people have already left Malta.

“Most of those reported missing left the country before the authorities could trace them,” Attard explained.

“Then there are cases where those reported missing return home out of their own will after a period of time. But there is also a more serious scenario when reported missing are are later found dead after a murder or foul play.”

Attard’s comments are reflected by official police statistics, which show how in the past ten years 43 missing people were later found dead.

Statistics also reveal that the number of missing foreigners has increased substantially during the years.

In 2003, missing foreigners totaled just 13, but in 2013 this increased to over 300 cases.

Read more in today’s edition of Illum.