Details of the dramatic search for a boy (11) in Baranja. They searched for him for 6 hours: It seemed like an eternity

The report of the disappearance was received at 4:47 p.m., the Osječko-Baranja police confirmed. In just a few minutes, one of the most demanding engagements in that area in the last few years was launched. The news quickly spread through the village, then all of Baranja, and then Croatia.

The police, HGSS, Civil Protection, firefighters, hunting societies, locals, friends of the family and numerous volunteers were on the ground almost at the same time. People kept arriving. Groups of 10 to 15 people were organized and systematically searched the terrain, forest, meadows, roads and outskirts of the village. At one point, according to local estimates, around 200 people participated in the search.

– The whole village is looking for the boy – said the locals while new search groups were formed.

Drones with thermal imaging cameras are also included in the search. There were two search dogs on the field. HGSS Station Požega has also been activated.

“We are sending unmanned drones. These two drones we are sending are very powerful, they have thermal imaging. The only problem is that it is night and it is cold”, they said from HGSS Požega.

The parents of the boys were on the field the whole time.

– They were walking and at one point he disappeared, I have that information. We haven’t had anything like this – they said from DVD Draž.

Načelnica općine Valentina Avdičević I immediately got involved with that stroke.

– I’m searching alone. Now we are all gathered, we will be divided into groups and we will go to the field. I met dad, dad is calling him, looking for him. Within three to five minutes, he disappeared from the parents’ sight – she said shortly, while the action was in full swing.

As the hours passed, and the night fellć and the temperature dropped, the concern grew. Despiteč after all, there was no panic.

– During the search, there was no panic. The parents were there the whole time. People hunted with quads, hunting societies that knew the terrain were there. I have to say that the policemen were extremely kind and accepted the advice of us locals so that everything would go faster – say the locals.

Around 9 p.m., after almost six hours of intense searching, the news broke the silence. Literally.

– The eleven-year-old was found unharmed at 9:15 p.m. – the police briefly confirmed. The boy was found a few hundred meters from the place where he was last seen.

– They saw people passing by, so he called out to them. The boy is in good condition. He was a little cold. I have to thank everyone who responded. A few years ago, we did not have such a large search, but in GSS such searches happen from time to time. It is demanding, especially in the initial phase, that’s why we are trained, the head of HGSS Osijek Krešimir Burazin told 24sata.

At the moment when he was found, shouts of happiness erupted throughout the area.

– When the boy was found, there were screams and relief from all sides of the hill – say the locals. Later, the boy’s mother came forward, posting an emotional message on social media.

– We are still under strong emotions, but the most we feel is gratitude. Our son was missing, we searched for him for six hours, which seemed like an eternity. The whole of Croatia was involved in the search: the police, firefighters, HGSS, all state services, our friends, neighbors and all the good people who shared announcements and offered help; – she said.

She also revealed what happened.

– He got scared of the dog, wandered into the forest and fell asleep. When he woke up and realized we were looking for him, he called immediately – said the mother. She especially thanked everyone who participated.

– I find out that the army is engaged, Baranja municipality. We cry and once again thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. Everyone on the field was excellently organized. We will never forget this support. Thank you for showing how much togetherness is – she said.