The first 24 hours when someone is missing
The first day feels chaotic. This checklist puts the steps in the order that protects the search — and your own ability to keep going.
Immediate danger comes first
Hours 0–2: Try every direct channel, then stop waiting on one
Call, text, and message on every app the person uses. Contact their companions, guide, hotel or teahouse. Networks in affected valleys fail for days — no reply is not evidence of harm. Write down exactly when and where you last had contact.
Hours 2–6: Gather identifying details while they are fresh
Full name and other names used, approximate age, nationality, languages, physical description and distinguishing features, what they were wearing and carrying, planned route, and who they were with. Ask their travelling group to do the same independently — small differences matter later.
Hours 6–12: Register the case and report to authorities
Register a missing person case here to make the person searchable by coordinators, hospitals and partner organisations. Also file a police missing person report and contact the relevant hospitals. If the person is a foreign national, contact their embassy or consulate.
Hours 12–24: Secure your reference and set up tracking
Save the case reference and access code somewhere safe — they are the only way to see case updates. Nominate a proxy contact if you cannot follow the case yourself, and check the verified information board rather than social media for developments.
What not to do
- Do not post the person's full identifying details publicly — it enables fraud and false claims.
- Do not treat a shared social media post as confirmation of anything; check the verified information board.
- Do not wait for one channel (a single phone number, one hospital) before starting the others.