Eight quizzed over Vietnamese teenager’s disappearance

The bar wall on Station Rise in the city of York. Police say the 16-year-old was last seen here talking to an Asian man. — Photo Google Maps

Paul Kennedy

The girl who speaks no English, disappeared from a tour group during a visit to York in the North Yorkshire region of England.

Police say she was last seen almost a week ago chatting to an Asian man on the bar walls, a popular area for tourists to visit.

Details of the group she was travelling with have not yet been released, nor has the city in Việt Nam where she is from.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “She was last seen with an Asian man on the bar walls above Station Rise, York at 4.40pm on Tuesday, August 6.

“She was wearing a white Ariana Grande jacket, light blue denim shorts and carrying a white rucksack at the time.

“The man is approximately 20 years-old and was dressed in a dark top and a black baseball style cap.

“Following enquiries, eight people have been arrested in connection with her disappearance and remain in custody for questioning.

“Officers are growing increasingly concerned for her safety and are appealing to the public for information as to her whereabouts.

“It is believed that she could be anywhere in the country.”

The Vietnamese Embassy in London is working with the authorities in the UK to help find the missing girl.

She had travelled to the UK on a legitimate visa as part of a group of tourists with the HCM City company Travel Plus.

Thanh Niên (Youth) newspaper is reporting the girl was visiting the UK with a woman who was registered with the company as her mother, but the company was not sure if she was actually her mother.

Travel Plus told Vietnam News Agency the rest of the group that had travelled to the UK returned to Việt Nam on August 9.

It is not known if her mother returned or is still in the UK.

The city of York is a popular tourist destination in the UK. It was founded by Romans in 71AD and is surrounded by a wall built at that time.

It is known for its famous historical buildings including York Minster Cathedral. Figures released in 2018 revealed around 6.9 million people visit the city each year. — VNS