Israeli mother, daughter discovered in Argentina after disappearing in Vienna

An Israeli mother and her daughter who disappeared during a vacation in Vienna were found alive in Argentina, Israeli police confirmed on Friday.

Mali Yahalomi and her daughter Liel, from Modi’in, were located aboard an intercity bus in Buenos Aires, according to Argentina’s Jewish news agency AJN. Local police determined that the two had traveled voluntarily from Europe and were not in danger, according to Israeli media reports.

The mother and daughter allegedly disappeared in Vienna last Friday and were scheduled to return to Israel from Prague on Tuesday. Their phones were later found at a Vienna train station, prompting a widespread search that involved both Austrian and Israeli authorities.

Israel Police said Unit 433 and its Intelligence Division used “advanced intelligence capabilities” and worked with international agencies, including Europol, to locate the two.

"Under the direction of Police Commissioner Dan Levy, the police, led by Unit 433 and the Police Intelligence Division, conducted extensive operations in Israel and abroad, operating 24/7, and allocating all necessary resources to locate them, carrying out hundreds of investigative actions," the police said in an official statement.

The family expressed relief that Mali and Liel were found alive and safe, while saying questions surrounding their disappearance remain, Israel's N12 News reported.