Hilal Ercan: Big search operation in Hamburg – What happened in 1999?

Hilal Ercan: Big search operation in Hamburg – What happened in 1999?

The search for Hilal Ercan, who disappeared in Hamburg in 1999 at the age of 10, is gaining momentum again. Today, November 4th, 2025, the family hung a poster on the Winterhude market square commemorating the missing person case. The poster directly strikes the emotional tone that Hilal's brother, Abbas, asked "What did you do to my sister?" raises. The aim of the poster campaign is to obtain new information about the whereabouts of Hilal, who has been missing since her last sighting in the Elbgaupassage.

The Hamburg public prosecutor's office had already initiated one of the largest search operations since the Second World War in 1999, but it was unsuccessful. This year, an additional reward of 100,000 euros is being offered for information about Hilal's whereabouts. To increase the visibility of the campaign, Hilal's relatives entered into a creative partnership with a smoothie manufacturer. In support of this, Hilal's picture and the question are printed on smoothie bottles in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Emotional calls and new initiatives

Hilal's family is determined to continue the search for their beloved daughter and sister. Abbas' direct address to the alleged perpetrator is a strong sign of perseverance. The campaign is also intended to draw attention to another missing child from southern Germany, which underlines the supra-regional aspect of this campaign. The family hopes the increased awareness and partnership with the smoothie company will provide much-needed tips.

The search for Hilal is not only making headlines in Hamburg. It's a case that arouses interest far beyond the city limits. The initiative, which represents a dark chapter in the city, faces the challenge of mobilizing new information while keeping the memory of the tragedy alive. Hopefully the public pressure and new visibility will bring fruitful results.

In another area, but also of great importance, Governor Gavin Newsom in California signed legislation addressing inequities in youth sports. This initiative, known as Assembly Bill 749, is seen as a way to promote and improve access to sports for various groups in society. The measure aims to reduce discrimination based on race, gender and even income. Aside from the emotional appeals for the missing person campaign, there are also important movements in other areas of life. It is encouraging to see that communities are fighting for fairer conditions.

The search for Hilal Ercan remains a pressing issue that appeals to the hearts of many. May the posters visible on every smoothie bottle and their family's tireless efforts soon provide the answers they so desperately seek. For anyone who knows or has heard anything, the invitation to come forward remains serious and unmistakable.