All articles tagged with #disappearances
Mexican biologist Miguel Ángel de la Torre Loranca was kidnapped in Veracruz after responding to a request for dialogue, with his family receiving a ransom demand and no updates on his whereabouts, highlighting the dangers faced by environmental and scientific workers amid Mexico's broader crisis of forced disappearances and organized crime influence in rural areas.
Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki and organizations like NOAA argue that the Bermuda Triangle's reputation for mysterious disappearances is unfounded, attributing incidents to natural weather phenomena and human error rather than supernatural causes or conspiracy theories, emphasizing that the area experiences similar risks as other busy maritime regions.
The article recounts the courageous efforts of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina, who tirelessly searched for their stolen grandchildren kidnapped during the brutal military dictatorship from 1976-1983, using innovative methods and DNA technology, while also highlighting Argentina's political history and US involvement in the region.
In Kenya, families are desperately searching for loved ones who disappeared during protests against government policies, with at least 60 people abducted by security forces and many still missing, amid ongoing concerns over police misconduct and government accountability.
Families in Syria are enduring a harrowing search for loved ones who have disappeared amid the ongoing conflict. Many are left without answers, as the fate of thousands remains unknown, highlighting the severe human rights issues in the region.
The United States-Mexico border is the deadliest land route for migrants, with at least 686 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2022, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This figure represents nearly half of the 1,457 migrant deaths and disappearances recorded throughout the Americas last year. The IOM called for decisive action by states and emphasized the need for enhanced data collection to ensure safe and regular migration routes. The Biden administration has implemented new restrictions and programs to discourage asylum seekers from attempting to apply at the border, but migrants continue to head there due to safety concerns and delays in asylum processing. The Caribbean and the dangerous Darien Gap passage also saw significant numbers of migrant deaths.
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is seeking a recount of the number of missing people in the country, claiming that the official tally of 100,000 is much higher than the actual number. However, this move has sparked backlash from families of the disappeared and human rights advocates, who fear that the president is trying to artificially lower the numbers ahead of an election year. The head of the government commission responsible for the official count abruptly resigned, raising concerns about the future of Mexico's search for the disappeared. This controversy adds to a series of human rights issues faced by López Obrador's administration, including the unresolved cases of mass disappearances and the government's struggle to combat drug trafficking and violence.
The mysterious disappearances of high-profile figures in China, including diplomats, sports stars, actors, and billionaires, have raised concerns about the country's opaque political system and arbitrary exercise of power. The recent case of Qin Gang, China's top foreign affairs diplomat, who vanished in late June, has puzzled China watchers and sparked speculation. While some disappearances may be linked to allegations of affairs, corruption, or power struggles, the Chinese government's practice of "disappearing" individuals remains largely unexplained. The lack of transparency and accountability in China's political system has led to speculation and concern about the motives behind these disappearances.
International investigators, who have been trying to solve the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico for nearly a decade, have ended their investigation, citing persistent obstruction by the armed forces. The investigators accused the Mexican military of withholding evidence and obstructing justice. Only three of the students' remains have been identified, and no one has been convicted in relation to the disappearances. The departure of the expert panel raises concerns that the case may never be solved, despite promises from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to find answers and deliver justice. The disappearance of the students, allegedly involving a drug gang and security forces, shocked the nation and sparked nationwide protests.
A compilation of 27 horrifying stories about the ocean and watery places includes the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the rescue of Terry Jo Duperrault after floating at sea for three and a half days, the death of crew members on The Ocean Challenger, the disappearance of kayaker Andrew McAuley, and the unsolved Lake Bodom murders. Other stories include Skeleton Lake, the Diving bell spider, the Lady in the Lake trial, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, and the existence of bog bodies.
Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki has claimed that the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle is a matter of "probabilities" and not supernatural explanations. He believes that human error and poor weather conditions are likely behind all the disappearances that have contributed to the superstition associated with the Bermuda Triangle. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) also maintains this position, stating that there is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean.