Police halt search for missing woman reportedly in labor in Rockanje dunes
Emergency services called off a large-scale search in the dunes near Rockanje on Sunday night after failing to locate a woman believed to be in labor and in urgent need of medical help, according to NOS.
The search began at 5 p.m. after police in Rotterdam received a tip from an undisclosed organization. According to police, the organization had been in contact with the 23-year-old woman, who allegedly said she needed help. Authorities did not disclose which organization provided the tip or the exact content of the communication, citing privacy concerns.
The woman was described in a Burgernet alert as having brown hair and wearing a gray shirt and black pants. She was also reportedly carrying a laptop. “Everyone who could help” joined the initial phase of the search, according to officials. By mid-evening, the operation was scaled down and taken over by specialist teams using drones, horses, and search dogs.
Despite the intensive search effort, the woman had not been located by around 8 p.m., and the operation was halted shortly after 10 p.m. Police said the search may resume Monday if new tips or information emerge.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the woman herself requested assistance or if the alert was triggered by someone else. “For privacy reasons, we cannot say whether she called for help or someone else did,” a police spokesperson said.
Rockanje is a coastal area located south of Rotterdam, on the island of Voorne-Putten. Police emphasized that no assumptions can yet be made about the validity of the incident. “We are still keeping all scenarios open,” the spokesperson added.
