Mali and Liel Yahalomi, the Israeli mother and daughter who disappeared in Vienna days ago, have reportedly fled to South America, N12 reported Friday evening, citing Austrian media reports.
Israeli officials have landed in Vienna to investigate the incident, the report added.
Additionally, Vienna Police conducted hospital checks and internal investigations. However, they've refrained from an official public search due to a lack of legal grounds, N12 said. Initial allegations say that the two went underground and fled by train to Germany, leaving Europe from there.
During the course of the investigation, Austrian police found that the names of the women had been registered on a Lufthansa flight to Argentina, N12 reported. Later on Friday night, Austrian police confirmed that the women had left the country and that there was no suspicion of coercion.
Family issued plea to the public and investigators
Earlier Friday, the family of the missing women issued a statement to the public amid the gag order imposed on the investigation and its various details, as well as a wave of rumors surrounding the circumstances of their disappearance.
"Today, on Friday evening, we mark one week since contact with Mali and Liel was lost," they wrote.
"The loss of contact with them is completely out of the ordinary. Mali is a devoted mother and grandmother, a beloved sister and a woman who lives for her family. Liel is a smart, sensitive young woman who is full of joy for life."
They further stated, "We are aware of the various reports, and hope that every new detail will help locate them as soon as possible. Still, the question remains open as to what happened to them and why there has been no contact with them for a week. We want to thank all the people of Israel for the embrace, support and assistance during this difficult time, the media outlets for providing a platform and continuing their coverage, and all the authorities and officials working together with us."
In their statement, the family also thanked the Haverim rescue organization and the Magen company, which are accompanying them and working on the ground as part of the search efforts.
They added that they are demanding that all security and investigative authorities continue examining every possible scenario, including the possibility of a terrorist attack, until it can be ruled out based on evidence.
The statement concluded with a plea: "Don't stop searching, don't stop sharing. Help us bring Mali and Liel home.