Since the start of the Russian aggression on Ukraine, 2,100 children have been reported missing and 234 killed, it was said in Osijek on Wednesday at a ceremony observing International Missing Children's Day. Pročitaj više

The day was marked by releasing yellow and blue balloons, whereby the Osijek Centre for Missing and Abused Children and Ukrainian refugees and their children drew attention to the importance of a timely response when a child goes missing.

The center’s manager, Tomislav Ramljak, said they wanted to symbolically express hope that the missing Ukrainian children would be found safe and sound as soon as possible.

Sandra Veber of the Police Directorate said missing children should be sought every day and that parents and guardians should not wait 24 hours to report their disappearance.

She said that last year 970 minors in Croatia went missing and that most were Afghans, Turks and Kosovans migrating across Croatia. Only 4.1% are Croatian nationals and most are found, she said, adding that at the moment nine Croatian minors are listed as missing.

It was also said that 300,000 children in the EU go missing every year.