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Original poster

Please help - worried about my son abroad

125 replies

HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 03:50

Is anyone Serbian or knows Serbia-
I can't get hold of my son and he doesn't have his phone on him, his friend has it.

This is very unlike him and I am worried sick

OP posts:
Original poster
HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 06:29

Pippa12 · 29/08/2026 06:25

If he has gone for some hanky panky he’ll go mad when he finds out he has to explain to his mum where he’s been? 😂

It’s coming light now, everything always feels better in the daylight. You’ll likely hear something concrete in the next couple of hours, at very least be able to have a coherent conversation with his friend.

He sounds like a worldly confident soul backpacking at 19. But teenagers are unapologetically selfish, it’s probably not crossed his mind that anybody would be worried at his Houdini act.

Show quote history

Well I wasn't expecting to laugh.

Agree he will probably be mortified, but it would serve him right.

OP posts:
Divebar2021 · 29/08/2026 06:41

It’s a bit of a shock to be woken in the middle of the night and asked to fire on all cylinders with the decision making. Do you use an AI? If you do perhaps ask it to confirm what the missing persons process is in Serbia. In the U.K. it’s very dependant on a number of vulnerabilities - age, mental health status etc. rather than a set time. A healthy young man of 19 who is separated from his friend is not a huge concern unless they were somewhere very sketchy doing something very illegal like buying vast quantities of drugs.

Do you happen to know how long they were planning on staying in that hostel and in Serbia ? If they’re there for a few more days then that’s less concern than if they’re have tickets out of there this afternoon. I should think the hostel staff will have a wealth of information about all of this and will have come across various situations involving young people.

itsgettingweird · 29/08/2026 06:42

The good news is his friend sounds sensible so will be helpful in searching for him.

od be more worried if his friend just shrugged his shoulders and wandered off knowing he had guanine and not knowing where his friend was.

Podgedodge · 29/08/2026 07:03

I hope you hear soon OP.
I totally feel your worry, my DDs both had ‘adventures ‘ on their first solo holidays, and it really becomes something you just have to ride out. It is very hard, and the feeling of helplessness takes some getting used to, but I’m sure it will be a shared story to reminisce over in the future.

ThatLemonBear · 29/08/2026 07:20

I understand your concern OP and this post makes me relieved my backpacking misadventures were well before mobile phones!

If he’s generally a sensible and level headed lad, he’s probably just gone off with someone for the evening and will turn up in a few hours, possibly hungover! hopefully you’ll all be laughing about this one day x

LIPFearFactor · 29/08/2026 07:26

I hope you are ok OP. My best guess is he got distracted and wandered off. The most likely thing is he’s fine. Keep breathing. Have some food. Try and calm your nerves whilst taking practical steps.

manysausages · 29/08/2026 07:37

Any news on him yet, OP?

Rituelec · 29/08/2026 07:59

So sorry to hear you are feeling worried and helpless OP. It sounds like he has been abroad before so thats a good thing. It does sound out of character but kids sometimes do bizarre things. Hopefully a reasonable explanation such as he met someone or went to a different hostel by mistake. Hopefully he manages to contact his friend or the hostel soon and that will help you.

Hopefully the staff can help with the language barrier too.

If there is no news I would consider social media or Twitter for a contact near where he is staying, to help with language barrier.

Thinking of you xx

bafta16 · 29/08/2026 08:05

I think the most likely scenario is the friend has panicked. Your son has met other people or person and had too much to drink.
Hope you get news soon.

LoisGriffinskitchen · 29/08/2026 08:07

Hope he turns up soon OP

HavingABlether · 29/08/2026 08:11

Hey OP. I have friends in Belgrade. I'm not sure how we can help, and I think the advice you've received is solid. If anything crops up that I can ask my friends about, feel free to PM.

EasternStandard · 29/08/2026 08:18

I can see why it panicked you in the middle of the night op. I hope he turns up soon.

JulietSierra · 29/08/2026 08:20

Oh that worry when you don’t know where they are, it’s unbearable. Hoping you get the ‘everything’s fine’ call very soon.

fashionqueen0123 · 29/08/2026 08:21

I think a phone call at 3am would scare anyone one and I think it’s pretty bad his mate phoned you after such a short time period. Fair enough to call you now but what was he expecting you to do other than panic and be awake all night.
No one is going to investigate someone going off from a friend after a couple of hours. Like everyone said he’s prob with a girl or staggered back to somewhere drunk and will surface in the morning once he finds his way back to the hostel. I hope you hear from him soon. Bearing in mind his friend has his phone! Atleast he does have a caring friend though. Sound like they’re quite anxious themselves.

Original poster
HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 08:26

He is ok, and back with his friend.

I don't have any details yet, but have just had a text message - he is going to call as soon as he gets WiFi.

Thank you all so much, from support when I was alone, to great suggestions, hand holds and offers to contact friends I really appreciate everyone of you taking the time to reply.

I am not a worrier normally, but that sinking feeling was horrible - thanks for your support.

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 29/08/2026 08:26

HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 08:26

He is ok, and back with his friend.

I don't have any details yet, but have just had a text message - he is going to call as soon as he gets WiFi.

Thank you all so much, from support when I was alone, to great suggestions, hand holds and offers to contact friends I really appreciate everyone of you taking the time to reply.

I am not a worrier normally, but that sinking feeling was horrible - thanks for your support.

That’s good op

Dollymylove · 29/08/2026 08:27

Is there a British Ambassadors office there who could help you?

Rituelec · 29/08/2026 08:28

HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 08:26

He is ok, and back with his friend.

I don't have any details yet, but have just had a text message - he is going to call as soon as he gets WiFi.

Thank you all so much, from support when I was alone, to great suggestions, hand holds and offers to contact friends I really appreciate everyone of you taking the time to reply.

I am not a worrier normally, but that sinking feeling was horrible - thanks for your support.

Oh OP. I was invested as have DC same age and I would have been the same
I don't think you over reacted but I am very very glad he is with his friend and you must be relieved.

Thank goodness xx

Dollymylove · 29/08/2026 08:28

HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 08:26

He is ok, and back with his friend.

I don't have any details yet, but have just had a text message - he is going to call as soon as he gets WiFi.

Thank you all so much, from support when I was alone, to great suggestions, hand holds and offers to contact friends I really appreciate everyone of you taking the time to reply.

I am not a worrier normally, but that sinking feeling was horrible - thanks for your support.

Sorry posted, didnt see this. Thank god hes back. It must have been a pretty frantic time you xx

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 29/08/2026 08:28

Great news! I bet he's angry with his friend for bothering you!

Lifeonapigfarm · 29/08/2026 08:29

How are you doing OP?
Look after yourself today. Try to eat and drink something - however small. Are you on your own?
Hope you hear something very soon.

Divebar2021 · 29/08/2026 08:30

HelpInSerbia · 29/08/2026 08:26

He is ok, and back with his friend.

I don't have any details yet, but have just had a text message - he is going to call as soon as he gets WiFi.

Thank you all so much, from support when I was alone, to great suggestions, hand holds and offers to contact friends I really appreciate everyone of you taking the time to reply.

I am not a worrier normally, but that sinking feeling was horrible - thanks for your support.

What a relief. I bet he has a tale to tell

Lifeonapigfarm · 29/08/2026 08:30

Really glad he is ok.

rainbowbaby2 · 29/08/2026 08:31

So glad he is ok OP. I bet you are relieved. You can breathe now!

Fatsnowflake · 29/08/2026 08:32

Thank goodness OP.