Israel Police said Friday that Mali and Liel Yahalomi, the Israeli mother and daughter who disappeared after being seen in Vienna a week ago, had been located safe in Argentina.
Police released footage showing Israeli and Interpol representatives boarding a bus and approaching the two women, who appeared surprised by the encounter but unharmed. It remains unclear why they stopped communicating with their family after leaving Vienna or why they traveled to Argentina.
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Austrian police said earlier Friday that the Yahalomis had left the country voluntarily, while German authorities were checking whether they traveled through Germany before continuing to Argentina.
Mali, 50, and Liel, 23, have been out of contact since Aug. 7, while traveling in Vienna. The two had arrived in Austria after visiting Prague and later failed to board their scheduled flight back to Israel.
Austria’s Kronen Zeitung reported that the pair apparently left Austria for Germany before departing Europe, with unconfirmed information suggesting South America as their destination. Channel 13 reported that senior Israeli police officials were discussing their next steps after receiving the new indication.
The investigation is being handled in Israel by Lahav 433, while Israeli and Austrian authorities have been coordinating search efforts. A court on Thursday imposed a publication ban on details of the investigation, effective until September 13.