Delhi Crisis: Over 800 People Vanish in Just 15 Days - Average 54 Missing Every Day

New Delhi - A growing safety emergency is unfolding in India’s capital, with official Delhi Police data revealing that 807 people were reported missing in just the first 15 days of 2026 — an average of roughly 54 disappearances every single day.

The statistics, accessed by news agency PTI, show a disturbing pattern of vanishings across age groups and genders, raising fresh concerns about urban safety, inadequate tracking, and vulnerability of residents — especially women and children.

• Between January 1 and January 15, 2026, 807 missing-person cases were registered with Delhi Police.
  
  
• Women and girls accounted for a majority of cases, with 509 reported missing compared to 298 men.
  
  
• Minors are also at serious risk, with 191 children reported missing - averaging about 13 minor disappearances per day.
  
  
• Among minors, teenage girls formed the largest group; nearly 71 % of missing adolescents remain untraced.
  
  
• Only 235 out of the 807 cases have been resolved so far, leaving around 572 people unaccounted for.

Experts warn that this isn’t a short-lived spike. Data from previous years shows that Delhi recorded over 24,500 missing-person cases in 2025, with 9,000 still unresolved at year’s end.

Over a decade-long trend, more than 232,000 people were reported missing in Delhi, with approximately 52,000 remaining unresolved, underscoring systemic challenges in tracing missing individuals. The figures highlight multiple public safety concerns:

• Vulnerability of women and girls in a megacity environment.
  
• Children and teenagers at risk, whether from family conflict, trafficking, exploitation, or running away.
  
• Persistent law-enforcement gaps with many cases unresolved even weeks after the initial report.
  

While authorities continue investigations and trace some individuals, families in the city are left anxiously searching for answers. In light of rising missing-person cases, safety experts and police recommend:

• Stay connected: Regularly update family or friends about your whereabouts if traveling alone, especially at night.
  
• Buddy system: Avoid going out alone in isolated areas; move in pairs or groups where possible.
  
• Use official transport: Prefer registered taxis (via apps) or public transport over unmarked vehicles.
  
• Emergency contacts: Keep local police helpline and emergency numbers saved on your phone.
  
• Teach children safety rules: Educate minors about not talking to strangers and reporting discomfort immediately.
  
• Community vigilance: Neighbors should look out for unusual activity and report suspicious behavior without delay.

Delhi Police has urged citizens to promptly file First Information Reports when someone goes missing and to use social media channels to share photos and last-seen locations. Police also stress that rapid reporting and cooperation can significantly improve trace-back success.