The search for 8-year-old Narin Güran, who vanished over a week ago in Diyarbakır (Amed), a city in southeastern Turkey known for its large Kurdish population, has intensified as fears grow that she may have been abducted. Despite extensive efforts by authorities, no significant clues have emerged, raising deep concerns within the local community.
Narin disappeared on 21 August after leaving a Quran course in the rural Tavşantepe neighbourhood of Bağlar district.
A large-scale search operation, coordinated by the Diyarbakır Governor’s Office, is underway, involving hundreds of personnel from various units including the Gendarmerie Search and Rescue, Gendarmerie Special Operations, and the Underwater Search and Rescue Team, along with health workers and volunteers. The operation has so far involved the search of 12,550 vehicles and the questioning of 130 individuals, including Narin’s family.
In an effort to aid the search, the Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has placed posters with Narin’s photo and contact information on all city buses, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Despite extensive searches, including aerial and ground operations, no significant leads have been found. A sandal belonging to Narin was discovered, raising hopes, but no further clues were uncovered. On the eighth day of the search, a suspect was briefly detained but later released due to insufficient evidence.
Diyarbakır Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Selçuk Yıldırım stated that the investigation is closing in on a conclusion, with “important evidence” being collected. However, as the days pass with no trace of the child, concerns are growing that Narin may have been abducted.
Sezgin Tanrıkulu, an MP from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and a long-time advocate for the region, has been closely following the case. He expressed concern that Narin’s disappearance may not be a simple missing person case, highlighting the possibility of abduction due to the lack of clues despite the extensive searches.
Diyarbakır Bar Association President Nahit Eren echoed these concerns, noting that the absence of any substantial evidence after so many days is unusual and may indicate a more complex situation.
Social media campaigns continue to raise awareness, with many offering rewards for information leading to Narin’s discovery. Her family, meanwhile, is pleading for any credible information while urging the public to refrain from spreading false leads.
