Nothing found in search for men missing 44 years

Nothing was found in an extensive search in De Brink lake in Diessel for any sign of Piet Holskens and Hans Martens from Asten, who disappeared in 1974, the police announced in a statement.

The two friends disappeared without a trace in March 1974, after a night out in Deurne. Late last year the police received information that they may have ended up in the water with their car. On Monday a specialist team of the police searched the lake with sonar equipment.

"Our search was focused on finding the car of Hans and Piet", the police said in a statement. "Unfortunately we did not find it." The specialist team was able to map the bottom of De Brink extensively. "Everything was recorded and experts will further analyze the results. Afterwards it will be examined whether there are still possibilities for further investigation."

The missing men's families were informed about the results of the search at a police station on Monday afternoon. A number of family members were present at the search. "Today was a very stressful day for us and we regret that nothing was found. Yet we continue to hope that even after 44 years there will be an end to all the uncertainty about Piet and Hans's fate", a spokesperson for the families. said.