Disappearance of Israeli mother, daughter in Vienna not 'criminal', police say

The disappearance of Israeli mother Mali Yahalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel, 23, in Vienna has been deemed not a criminal matter by the police, Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported. Vienna police spokesperson Markus Dittrich revealed that no signs of a crime have been found in the case so far, and that an internal investigation has been launched in collaboration with the Israeli diplomatic mission in Austria. The investigation is still in its early stages, and the direction of the inquiry has not been disclosed.

The two women, who observe the Sabbath, were last seen near Vienna's city train station on Shabbat, according to police location tracking from Israel and Austria. The family claims to have not received any updates from the police regarding this tracking. Mali and Liel had reportedly contacted their family via phone on Friday before Shabbat ended, but did not respond afterward. Mali's brother Moshe stated that upon their last conversation, the women were in an apartment in Vienna and claimed everything was fine.

Since their disappearance, the women reportedly placed an order for a meal from the Chabad House in Vienna, but did not come to collect it. According to Moshe, there has been no new information from the ongoing investigation. The family has maintained contact with the consulate in Vienna, as well as with the Modi’in District Police in Israel. They have expressed hope that the women will be found safe and sound, as various officials from around the world are involved in the search for the missing individuals.