An American teenager who vanished in Germany while on a cruise was found safe, his family said Saturday — three days after they feared he had been “lured away” when the ship docked.
Aydin Brown, 14, was last seen disembarking the Caribbean Princess Cruise ship in Rostock-Warnemünde — about two hours north of Berlin — by himself Thursday morning after arguing with his grandmother, Fox News reported.
“We are delighted that Aydin Brown has been found safe and sound,” the cruise line told NBC News Saturday, adding that the teen was reunited with his family.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to German authorities for their swift response and exceptional efforts in locating Aydin after he disembarked in Warnemunde last Thursday morning.”
Local authorities released three photos of Brown during their search. Two were surveillance footage images that showed the teen speaking with an unidentified man before the two walked toward Warnemünde Church, according to NBC News.
Police had asked the man to report to them during the search, but it is unclear who he was or if he assisted in the Texas boy being found safe.
Before he was located, one of Brown’s cousins said the family thought he had been “lured away” by a stranger.”
“My worst nightmare continues to unroll,” Anne Yaktiyol wrote on social media. “Aydin remains missing. It appears once he left the ship in Warnemunde, Germany, he may have been lured away.”