Kathmandu— Forty unaccompanied migrant children remain missing in the United Kingdom after disappearing from Home Office-run accommodation in 2023, according to a recently released parliamentary report. The group of 472 children, some as young as twelve years old, vanished while seeking asylum; while 432 have since been located, concerns persist regarding the welfare and whereabouts of those still missing, with two remaining underage. The findings have prompted calls for greater government accountability and preventative measures to protect vulnerable minors entering the country.

Children Reported Missing From Asylum Hotels

In 2023, a total of 472 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children disappeared from accommodations managed by the Home Office. Helen Waite, Director of Children’s Social Care at the Department for Education, confirmed that as of recently, 432 have been found. However, forty remain unaccounted for, with most having since turned eighteen but two still being classified as minors.

Concerns Over Exploitation And Trafficking

The parliamentary committee expressed significant concern over the missing children, urging the Home Office to provide detailed updates on efforts to locate them every three months. Angela Eagle, formerly the border security and asylum minister, previously informed the committee that some of the located children were found in “exploitative situations and may have been trafficked.” England’s Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza described the situation as an “unacceptable failure,” emphasizing that all child asylum seekers deserve safe shelter and support.

Hotel Accommodations Deemed Unlawful

At its peak in June 2023, over 51,000 asylum seekers were housed in more than 400 hotels across the UK. Human rights groups criticized these facilities as unsuitable for children, and a 2024 High Court ruling determined that placing unaccompanied minors in hotels was unlawful. Dedicated facilities have since been closed.

Broader European Migration Challenges

The situation in the UK mirrors broader migration pressures faced by Europe since 2015, when over one million people arrived seeking refuge, primarily from the Middle East and Africa. Recent events, such as the influx of over 72,000 people into Spain’s Ceuta enclave last month, have overwhelmed reception facilities and sparked renewed calls for stricter border controls. Reports indicated that Ceuta was processing around 2,000 unaccompanied minors, many left without adequate shelter, with police investigating allegations of sexual assault.

The parliamentary committee continues to press the Home Office for regular updates on its efforts to locate the remaining missing children and prevent future disappearances.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.