ARCHIVED - Expats in Alicante village join massive search for missing Belgian pensioner

The 82-year-old was last seen in Hondón de los Frailes in the Vinalopó Mitjà area of Alicante province

Dozens of expats and Spanish villagers have joined a massive police search for an 82-year-old Belgian man last seen in Hondón de los Frailes at around 6pm on Monday August 1.

There has been a large police presence in the village over the last 24 hours and Hondon de los Frailes Town Hall has now activated a public search for the 5ft 3in Belgian octaganarian who has short grey hair and blue eyes. 

The missing pensioner weighs around 70kg and was wearing beige shorts, a straw hat and sunglasses at the time of his disappearance. He was also using a black walking stick.

In a Facebook post today, Tuesday August 2, Hondon de los Frailes Town Hall encouraged locals to help the Local Police and Guardia Civil in the hunt: "If you are interested in a more organised search for Hugo Gerard Dewulf, today August 2 at 2pm at the Virgin de la Salud, there will be an outing for a joint hunt around the village. Thank you for your cooperation," reads the post.

There have been reports the elderly gentleman was last seen at a local tobacconists, and dozens of people have been seen scouring fields and land in and around the village.

A family member also posted on Facebook appealing for information, explaining that Hugo normally drives a green and black mobility scooter and is often seen with his great-grandchild in a pushchair.

Hondón de los Frailes is located 17km from Aspe and is home to around hundreds of British and other expats.

Anyone with information is asked to call 062 immediately.

Now read: British pensioner found wandering near Benidorm waterpark after being missing for two days

Image: Ayuntamiento de Hondón de los Frailes