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Monday, March 26, 2012

2 Israelis missing in Central America

Never reached destination. Lian and Hen

Lian and Hen during trip in Mexico

Backpackers Lian Vichman and Hen Braha, 21, were en route from Mexico to Guatemala, but never reached destination. Hen's mother receives mysterious call saying 'medicina, medicina'

Mysterious disappearance – Lian Vichman and Hen Braha, both 21, left for their post-army trip in Central America about a month ago. The two spent time in Mexico and on Sunday planned to take a bus from San Kristobal to San Pedro in Guatemala.

However on Monday morning, while on her way to the gym, Hen's mother Iris Braha received an international call on her cell phone. The voice on the other side of the line asked in broken English whether she is Iris Braha. When Braha responded positively, the person said "Medicina, medicina" (medicine). The conversation was then cut off.

The unusual phone call alarmed Braha, who immediately contacted her daughter's friend's family. After making several phone calls the families realized that the two did not reach their destination in Guatemala. Hen, who carried a cellular phone with her, was now unreachable.

They left 20 hours ago for a six to seven hour bus ride, but as far as we know they never arrived to their destination," Hen's father, Vitorio, told Ynet. "We spoke with the Chabad House in Guatemala, where they reserved rooms, but they haven’t heard from them either," he added.

Hen's father said the families also contacted the Israeli Embassies in Guatemala and Mexico, but at this point they were not sure whether the two backpackers crossed the border.

This phone call alarmed all of us, and we are very worried at the moment," said the father, who noted that his daughter and friend were apparently travelling with three other Israelis.

In an effort to track the two, the families spread their pictures on Facebook and called local hospitals, but to no avail.

We ask that whoever is in the area or has heard anything, to contact us or the Foreign Ministry," the father said.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the matter is under investigation.

If you have any information about Hen and Lian's whereabouts, please call Vittorio Braha Tel: +972-54-8145035 or Iris Braha Tel:+972-50-8883008

1 comment:

  1. We received word from INGUAT the Guatemalan tourist commission that the 2 women are safe and in Guatemala. They were located without problem thanks to the help of the Guatemalan Tourist community. They had decided to make a trip to the Peten instead of Lake Atitlan

    Tom Lingenfelter
    http://xelapages.com

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