Greek authorities have confirmed that 16-year-old Laura, whose disappearance sparked a nationwide search, traveled by air to Germany on the day she went missing.
Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou said the airline officially informed authorities that the minor flew to Frankfurt on Jan. 8. The confirmation came after five formal requests by the Hellenic Police and a delay of 25 days, she said.
According to Dimoglidou, the Lufthansa flight departed two hours before Laura’s parents filed a missing persons report at approximately 7:30 p.m. that same day, a timing detail that proved critical to the course of the investigation.
Timeline of Laura’s Movements
According to media reports Laura left Patras early the same day and travelled to Athens, where she was dropped off by 10.10 am in the Zografou district. Later the same day she visited a jewellery store where she attempted to sell some personal items. From there, she traveled to central Athens, where she purchased a plane ticket to Germany from a travel agency in Omonia Square.
She then took a taxi to Athens International Airport, and departed for Frankfurt later that day.
Minor Traveled Without Escort
Police said the 16-year-old was able to board the flight without an escort because the airline’s regulations allow passengers of her age to travel alone.
Dimoglidou confirmed that the airline notified Greek police that the teenager had flown abroad only after repeated written requests submitted since Jan. 12.
Earlier, speaking to Greek state broadcaster ERT, Dimoglidou criticized the airline for failing to provide timely information.
She confirmed police had contacted all airlines operating flights to Germany within the first 24 hours of the investigation. While other companies responded, she said, the specific airline involved did not reply to authorities’ correspondence.
Although no prosecutor’s order had been issued -as the case does not concern a criminal offense- Dimoglidou noted that police had obtained parental consent to request passenger information.
“We understand that there are personal data protections and specific procedures,” Dimoglidou said. “However, when we are speaking about the disappearance of a child being searched for by her parents for days, assistance — even verbally — could have been provided, as other companies did.”
