Major search operation in Itzehoe: Horst D. missing after mysterious disappearance!

Major search operation in Itzehoe: Horst D. missing after mysterious disappearance!

In the early morning hours of August 12, 2025, 43-year-old Horst D. from Wartha, Saxony disappeared. The missing man's last sign of life was located in the Kaaksburg parking lot near Itzehoe in Schleswig-Holstein, where his cell phone was last located. There has been no sign of life from him since then. According to reports from the evening paper the police began intensive search measures. The missing person, who could presumably be in a psychological state of emergency, could be in a dangerous situation.

The search area is currently being monitored by the police and fire department with a drone. The drone group of the Tensbüttel-Röst Volunteer Fire Department plays a crucial role in this. The capabilities of modern drone technology help to quickly search even difficult terrain, which can be crucial to the search's chances of success. The Use of drones for the search for missing persons has proven itself in recent years; Thermal imaging cameras can even locate people in poor lighting conditions.

Call for help

The Görlitz police have launched a public search for Horst D. and are asking the public for help. In particular, information about the whereabouts of the missing person is requested. Horst D. is around 1.82 meters tall, slim, has short, straight brown hair and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with a black square and blue jeans. He also carried a small bag with personal documents.

If they observe anything or have information, citizens can contact the Hoyerswerda police station directly on 03571/4650 or any other police station.

The use of drones in the police

Drones have become an integral part of modern police work. Like that heise online reports, the police in Rhineland-Palatinate have been using drones since 2019 and have already used them in almost 600 operations. These operations include documenting traffic accidents, monitoring major events and, of course, searching for missing people. There are currently 57 unmanned aerial vehicles available to the state police, and 181 trained remote pilots control the drones.

Drone technology has made tremendous progress. From multi-rotors to fixed-wing drones, each has its own strengths that are used depending on the search area and situation. When selecting, factors such as range, payload and features such as thermal imaging cameras are taken into account. Drones can be targeted in searches by dividing the terrain into overlapping sectors or concentrating on areas with a higher probability of occupancy.

While the technology offers many advantages, there are also legal and ethical aspects to consider. The use is subject to strict legal regulations to protect people's privacy. Therefore, the responsible use of this technology is becoming increasingly important.

The police are doing everything they can to find Horst D. safe and sound and are appealing to the public to report any information. Every clue could be crucial in locating a missing person and, especially in such precarious situations, community involvement is of paramount importance.