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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Hannah Al-Othman

‘Some countries do very little’: agony for UK families of people missing abroad

Flowers left by the family of Jay Slater near the site where his body was found in Masca, Tenerife.
Flowers left by the family of Jay Slater near the site where his body was found in Masca, Tenerife. Photograph: Jesus Cabrera/Reuters

A relative going missing is already one of the most difficult situations any family can go through. But when a loved one vanishes abroad, language barriers, cultural differences and significant financial challenges can make it even harder.

The high-profile investigation into the disappearance of Jay Slater, 19, from Lancashire, who went missing after attending a music festival in Tenerife, concluded on Tuesday after four weeks. His mother, Debbie Duncan, who had flown out to the island soon after he was reported missing, said “our hearts are broken” after a body found by rescue teams was confirmed to be his.

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