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Syria-bound fears over Bradford family missing after Saudi pilgrimage | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three sisters from Bradford are feared to have travelled to Syria with their nine children after going on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. | |
The sisters and their children, aged between three and 15, were due back in the UK on Thursday, Khan Solicitors said on behalf of the family. | |
Ten are thought to have boarded a flight to Istanbul in Turkey on 9 June. | |
Lawyer Balaal Khan confirmed concerns about them "travelling to Syria". West Yorkshire Police is investigating. | |
There has been no contact since 9 June from mother-of-two Khadija Dawood, 30, mother-of-five Sugra Dawood, 34, and mother-of-two Zohra Dawood, 33, after leaving Medina in Saudi Arabia. | |
'Extremely worried' | 'Extremely worried' |
Mobile telephones the group has have not been active and their social media profiles have not been updated since then. | Mobile telephones the group has have not been active and their social media profiles have not been updated since then. |
In a statement released by their solicitors, the Dawood family said they were "extremely worried" and felt helpless. | In a statement released by their solicitors, the Dawood family said they were "extremely worried" and felt helpless. |
Mr Khan, acting for the fathers of the missing children, said: "One of the possibilities is they travelled to Turkey to travel to Syria. | |
"The suspicion, and main concern, is that the women have taken their children to Syria." | |
He said police were notified five or six days ago, but were limited in what they could do because it was out of their jurisdiction. | |
West Yorkshire Police has contacted the Turkish authorities however, at this stage, there have been no sightings or contacts made in Turkey. | West Yorkshire Police has contacted the Turkish authorities however, at this stage, there have been no sightings or contacts made in Turkey. |
The force said it was supporting the family and working "extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them". | The force said it was supporting the family and working "extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them". |
Appealing for information, Asst Ch Cons Russ Foster said: "Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. | Appealing for information, Asst Ch Cons Russ Foster said: "Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. |
"One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children." | "One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children." |