Maria (82) Missing in Zandhoven, Police Search Enters Third Day
An 82-year-old woman named Maria Dergent has been missing from Zandhoven, Belgium, since Monday evening. Police have intensified their search operation, deploying helicopters, drones and mounted officers while appealing to local residents to check garden sheds and outbuildings where she may have sought shelter.
The Disappearance
Maria Dergent left the WZC Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost care center at Nazarethpad in Zandhoven on Monday evening, August 24. She was last seen on camera footage later that evening in the Langestraat, not far from the care center, according to VRT NWS. Since then, no trace of her has been found.
A search operation on Tuesday with search dogs yielded no results. On Wednesday morning, the search resumed with significantly expanded resources.
“Today the search starts again,” said Els Kusters of Politiezone ZARA. “Again with the helicopter, with drones and also mounted police. We focus mainly on Zoerselbos.”
The search is concentrating on the Zoerselbos forest area, a 400-hectare nature and forest area extending across Zoersel and Halle, which is managed by the vzw Vrienden van het Zoerselbos association.
Appeal to Residents
Police are asking residents in the surrounding area to check their properties for any sign of the missing woman.
“We ask people to check any camera footage again, from Monday evening, and also to check gardens, garden sheds, outbuildings or any other place where Maria may have gone to shelter,” Kusters said.
Maria Dergent may appear confused, and it is possible she sought shelter somewhere after becoming disoriented. HLN reports that the woman can come across as confused and may have taken refuge in a shed or outbuilding.
Description
Maria Dergent is between 1.60 and 1.65 meters tall and of normal build. She has short gray hair and wears glasses. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a white shirt, a bordeaux vest, black trousers and dark shoes.
The Federal Police issued an official missing person notice at the request of the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office. The search is being coordinated by Politiezone ZARA, which covers the municipalities of Zandhoven and Ranst.
Community Response
The disappearance has deeply affected the community of Zandhoven, a municipality of approximately 13,000 inhabitants in the province of Antwerp. Mayor Steven Van Staeyen expressed the growing concern: “We hope for good news, but we are gradually fearing the worst.”
Community members have mobilized through social media, with residents organizing to assist in the search efforts. A member of the Facebook group “Ge zijt van Pulderbos” urged volunteers to coordinate with police at the care center to ensure a structured approach.
The Care Center
The WZC Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost, where Maria resides, is operated by the De Medemens organization. Established in 1962 by the Zwartzusters (Black Sisters) of Lier, the facility houses 83 single rooms and 58 assisted living apartments across three buildings, and includes a specialized ward for persons with dementia.
What to Watch For
The search operation continues with all available resources as the third day of the search gets underway. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them via the free number 0800/30 300 or through the Federal Police website.
Residents in the Zandhoven area are asked to review any camera footage from Monday evening onwards and to check gardens, garden sheds, outbuildings and any other potential hiding places. The outcome of the search in the Zoerselbos forest area will be closely watched as the operation enters its third day.