17,130 children reported missing in Italy in 2022

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 25 - Some 17,130 children were reported missing in Italy in 2022, of whom 14,410 were aged between 15 and 17, according to data presented by Telefono Azzurro for International Missing Children's Day on Thursday.
    Of the total, just over three quarters were foreign minors, said the association providing support to children and young people experiencing difficulties and distress.
    The number of foreign children reported missing in 2022 rose by 47.9% over the previous year, while the number of Italian children reported missing rose by 24.2% over the same period.
    Of the foreign children reported missing, 43.6% were Egyptian or Tunisian and 91.3% were male.
    Ukrainians accounted for 0.54% of foreign children reported missing in 2022.
    This translated into 70 missing children, up from 18 in 2021.
    The data also showed that missing Italian children are much more likely to be found than their foreign counterparts, accounting for nearly three quarters of all tracings in 2022. (ANSA).