When someone goes missing, every hour can feel like a lifetime for family and loved ones waiting for answers. In 2025, police recorded more than 150 missing-persons cases across the country. While most people were traced within days, 20 individuals remained missing as of June this year. And more than one in three missing persons were children.
A phone that goes unanswered. A family member who does not return home. And the uncertainty of not knowing where they are. For families of missing persons, the search for answers can begin with a single report to the police.
Last year, 155 people went missing. This is an increase from 136 cases recorded the previous year.
Of the 155 missing last year, 127 people were found alive, while eight were found deceased. Another 20 people remained untraced as of June this year.
In most cases, the search did not last long. Of the 135 people who were traced, 110 were found within a week.
But some searches lasted much longer. Ten were found after more than 30 days.
According to police, the quality and accuracy of the information provided when a person is reported missing can determine how quickly they can trace and locate them.
Children also make up a significant share of the cases. Fifty-eight missing persons were aged 17 or below, followed by 24 people aged 18 to 24 and 17 people aged 32 to 38.
The figures also show almost no difference between male and female cases. 78 were female and 77 were male.
The missing-person cases was heavily concentrated in the western urban districts. Thimphu accounted for the largest share of reported cases, at 47 per cent followed by Paro and Punakha.
However, the record does not provide the reasons behind individual disappearances or explain why the capital recorded the highest number. Individuals can report a missing person to the police through the toll-free helpline 113.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
