Sister launches appeal after brother goes missing in Germany

Emily Longden says her brother Ben, who lives in the Germany city of Cologne, hasn’t been in touch for more than four weeks.

The former Baines High School pupil has now been registered as missing both in the UK and Germany and his family are becoming increasingly concerned.

And Emily has made an impassioned plea through social media to help find translator Ben, who was working for international firm Max Grauert.

She posted: “My brother Ben Longden is missing and was last seen on March 2nd in Koln/Cologne Germany.

“He is now a registered missing person in both England and Germany and the police are looking for him.”

Emily’s message continued: “Me and my family are very worried and just want to know he’s alive and well

“Thank you.”

Emily’s message has now been shared more than 1,000 times with friends, wellwishers and strangers both in the UK and on the continent sending their messages of support.

The response has been particularly strong from those with friends and family in and around the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Emily has also received dozens of messages of support and offers from those willing to help in the search.

The Foreign and Commonwealth office today confirmed to The Gazette they were providing assistance.

An FCO spokesman said: “Our staff are providing advice and support to the family of a British national who has been reported missing in Germany.”

The Gazette contacted the German Embassy who said missing persons were a matter for local authorities.

Police in North Rhine-Westphalia,whose juristiction includes the cities of Cologne and Bonn, said they were unable to give information on persons reported missing.