French police today provided an update on the search for a missing two-year-old in the south of France, stating that efforts are "at the same point" as yesterday.
Helicopters spent Tuesday blasting a recording of the toddler's mother's voice over the terrain near Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the hope of attracting his attention if he is lost and alone.
France is experiencing a heatwave at the moment, a factor which police regret may lessen the chances of the boy's survival should he be on his own.
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Remy Avon, the prosecutor of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, highlighted that medical concerns associated with the temperatures dictate that after 48 hours missing, the "young age" and "constitution" of a child "deprived of food and water by the current high heat" is worrying.
A massive sweeping search effort by police, soldiers, helicopters and volunteers has looked through 30 buildings, 12 vehicles and interviewed 25 people in the town.
Avon added: "we're pushing on-the-ground investigations as far as we can", but conceded "we're at the same point as yesterday and the day before."
Avon also said that the rescue mission will be upgraded to a nationwide search.
Two-year-old Émile went missing on Saturday from his grandparents' home where he is spending the summer holiday in a tiny village in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
He was last seen dressed in white shorts, a yellow top and hiking shoes by two neighbours walking alone on a street in the tiny village of Vernet which sits at an altitude of around 1,200 metres.
The mayor of the village explained to French media how the child vanished: "The family was getting ready to leave the house to go on an outing. He took advantage of this fleeting moment to leave," said François Balique.
A tiny village of about 20 houses, the mayor said "we see everything," rejecting the notion that Émile could have been kidnapped.
