Over 800 Missing In Delhi In Early 2026: What’s The Reality Behind The Viral Social Media Claim?

More than 800 people were reported missing in Delhi during the first half of January 2026, according to official data from Delhi Police accessed by PTI. The figures, which have circulated widely on social media, reveal that women and girls account for nearly two-thirds of the cases, raising fresh concerns about safety and tracing mechanisms in the national capital.

Over 800 Missing in Just Two Weeks

Between January 1 and January 15, a total of 807 people were reported missing, averaging about 54 cases each day. Of these, 509 were women and girls, while 298 were men.

Minors accounted for 191 of the cases, whereas 616 were adults. Police have managed to trace 235 individuals so far, but around 572 people remain untraced.

The data further indicates that roughly 13 children went missing daily during this period. Girls formed a significant majority among minors, with 146 cases out of 191.

Teenagers Most Vulnerable

Teenagers represented the largest share among missing minors. Out of 169 adolescents reported missing, 138 were girls and 31 were boys. Authorities traced 29 girls and 19 boys, yet nearly 71 per cent of adolescents are still unaccounted for.

In the 8 to 12 age group, 13 children went missing, including eight boys and five girls. Only three boys have been found so far.

Meanwhile, nine children under the age of eight were reported missing. Three boys were traced, but six children remain unlocated.

Adults Form the Largest Share

Adults continue to dominate the missing persons data. During the first 15 days of the year, 616 adults were reported missing, including 363 women and 253 men.

Police were able to trace 90 men and 91 women, but 435 adults have yet to be located, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by authorities.

Long-Term Data Shows Rising Trend

The latest figures mirror a broader pattern seen in recent years. In 2025 alone, 24,508 people were reported missing in Delhi. Women made up over 60 per cent of these cases at 14,870, compared to 9,638 men. Police traced 15,421 individuals, though 9,087 cases remain unresolved.

A decade-long analysis presents an equally concerning picture. Over the past ten years, 2,32,737 people have been reported missing in the city. While approximately 1.8 lakh were traced, nearly 52,000 cases are still pending.

Teenagers face particularly high risks. Since 2016, more than 5,000 teens have gone missing each year on average, with nearly 3,500 of them being girls annually.

In 2025, authorities recorded 5,081 missing teenagers, including 3,970 girls. Among them, 1,013 are yet to be found. The year also saw the highest number of missing women cases at 14,870, continuing a steady upward trend.