to report sibling missing abroad

[Sillyjelly]

DSis is travelling since November, last known in Laos. last on WhatsApp at 2:00 (GMT) on 24/02/18. Last few messages showing as unread. This is out of character. I have also sent messages via Facebook and email expressing my concern in case phone is lost, as she also has a tablet.

I have an anxiety disorder and both our parents have died so I'm hyper anxious about her safety. I convinced myself I was paranoid until her best friend asked in a group chat if anybody had heard from her.

If somebody is abroad how long should you wait to report missing?

she usually messages daily at least with photos (so they are saved in case of phone loss)

Really it's that I messaged her twice yesterday and they have gone unread, but not unreceived, according to the WhatsApp ticks. (one for received, 2 for read). They are showing as received.

I would wait a couple more days before worrying too much. I know that’s easy to say as we are so use to being in constant contact with people these days. She is probably somewhere very remote. I hope you hear from her soon. Be sure to let us know here. 💐

I will let you know when i hear from her, I know I'm being a twat probably.

WhatsApp shows 1 grey tick for sent. 2 grey ticks for received and the ticks turn blue when it's read. If there is only 1 grey tick the messages haven't gone through to her phone yet. Hope she gets in touch soon though, probably a wifi/battery issue.

It’s two grey ticks for received on WhatsApp then they go blue when read. One tick means sent but not received yet. Am sure she is ok and she will be in touch soon x

hope she is in touch very soon, you are not be silly to have a niggling worry even though there are lots rational reasons why you haven't heard from her!

one WhatsApp tick just means the message was sent 2 mean received and they turn blue once its been read so maybe she doesn't have wifi/signal

I wouldn’t panic yet. But i do think she should let you know rough plans for the next 2-3 days just in case.

Nothing to add to what has already been suggested but I hope that you hear from her soon.

Caring about your sister's safety doesn't make you twat, but given where she is it does sound too soon to panic. Hopefully she will be in touch soon.

Just read your last post. My understanding of WhatsApp is one tick = message sent Two ticks = message received. Then two ticks turn to blue when message is read. So it looks as if your messages have not been received indicating that she has no internet service.

Sorry x post with others. Hope it reassures you though.

Hope she contacts you soon.

As the WhatsApp shows not received, I’d worry less for now. Hope she contacts you soon.

Oh thank you, I misunderstood the ticks, I thought one grey meant received but unread, combined with her 'last seen' time it scared me. Really my concern was based on technological illiteracy. I'm usually good at these things.

God I feel so much better, sorry for this.

I don't think it would hurt to speak to your local police, non emergency number. I had cause to do this regarding the welfare of my mum (turned out her phone was out of order) but they were nothing but lovely and reassuring and told me that I hadn't wasted their time at all.
Am sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation but just to sense check it with the police might help.

She is usually very good at informing where she'll be and if she'll be out of contact, just got the fear as I've dropped the ball really on where she is and the aforementioned WhatsApp mix up.

You ok now?
We had a relative missing after a natural disaster, they were found alive and well eventually, but it seemed like an age.

I feel better, didn't want to share concerns with friends as didn't want to spread panic. Am going to bed now. No doubt will wake up to photos of some beautiful vista from her!

She's probably out of charge/coverage/power.
Given this is not her pattern of course you are worried.
I've had a few of these episodes over the years and it's usually far flung countries and lack of charge/cover etc.
statistically she is most likely fine.
However your worry can't be dismissed.
Maybe when you do contact her you can ask for a regular update at a day/time/month etc that suits? As in if that's not met, then there's an issue.
Just wondering.

Just to join in with the reassurance, I’ve travelled extensively through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and lived in the region for many years. Laos has to be one of the most safe-feeling countries I’ve ever been to, it’s an absolute gem! There are so many middle of nowhere type places though, without WiFi, cash machines etc. There are so many sleepy jungle villages and some more rustic places they turn their electric off at night. Try and get some sleep OP I’m sure you’ll have heard back by the morning. Give us an update when you get one, I’m sure she’s absolutely fine.

I can understand your anxiety if she's in contact every day but as other posters have said there's any number of reasons why she may be out of contact - none of them anything to worry about.

I 'm an old gimmer but it does make me wonder how people coped before Whatsapp/Facebook/mobile phones.

I spent 4 months in Thailand 25 years ago and called once to say I'd arrived safely and once to say I was on my way home. It was hard to find a landline while I was trekking. Thinking back my poor parents must have been on tenterhooks, whilst I was just out there enjoying my independence.

Hope you hear from her soon

Try not to worry. Laos is quite remote. She could be on an overnight bus, be staying somewhere with no electricity, have no signal, no WiFi, no charge etc :)
I didn't find internet easy to come by in Laos.
Hope she's in contact soon.