8-Year-Old Boy Missing for 8 Days Found Alive in German Sewer: 'We Can All Breathe a Sigh of Relief'

Mar. 15, 2025

An 8-year-old boy has been found alive in a German sewer after disappearing eight days prior, according to authorities.

Police said the child, who was found naked, was chilled and dehydrated, but otherwise fine, per the news agency. Afterwards, he was transported to a local hospital.

There he was treated for hypothermia and dehydration, reportedCNN.

“We can all breathe a sigh of relief,” Police Chief Johann Kuehme said in a statement, perNewsweek, noting that the boy “is in good hands.”

Andre van Elten/picture alliance via Getty

Joe was reported missing on the evening of June 17, according toCBS News.

Police believe Joe crawled into the rainwater sewer through a drain and then got lost after several meters, the outlet reported.

Martin Remmers/picture alliance via Getty

In an initial police statement, officials said that the boy had a learning disability and might misunderstand their search efforts as a game, perCNN.

The boy’s clothes were later found in the sewer, per the AP.

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Police said they have yet to get Joe’s full story, and hope to do so once he leaves the hospital, the AP reported.

source: people.com