In the early hours of Wednesday, the French public prosecutor confirmed that Leul Alba Buenestado, a 20-year-old Erasmus student from Melilla, who was last seen in Lille, is currently in stable condition. The update came after officials revealed that Alba had made contact with his family from Iceland, providing reassurance about his whereabouts.
The prosecutor’s office in Paris indicated that new information had been received and needed verification, adding that it is positive to learn he is not involved in a distressing disappearance. The statement acknowledged the ongoing need to corroborate details but stressed that Alba’s location in Iceland is a development worth noting. Authorities also said they were unable to disclose additional specifics at that time, pending confirmation. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in France provided further confirmation to EFE on Wednesday that Leul Alba was located alive in Iceland after having disappeared in Lille roughly five days earlier. The news was communicated after Alba managed to reach his family by phone, marking a crucial turning point in a case that had drawn attention across regional media. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
— EFE Murcia (Citation: EFE Murcia)
Five days of uncertainty
The incident involved a Murcian university student who had last been tracked by friends and family on social media and through interconnected messages across several devices. The young man is originally from Melilla and had been studying at Lille’s Faculty of Law, Political and Social Sciences as part of the Erasmus program. Community posts and messages suggested a sudden drop in contact, with close connections reporting multiple attempts to reach him via messaging apps after a morning when conversations appeared to cease. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
The last confirmed sighting placed him at his residence on Tuesday the 12th, with the final message received around 10:40 a.m. on Friday the 15th. After that point, his phone stopped showing signs of activity, leaving friends and family concerned about his safety. He lived at the Albert Châtelet residence, commonly known to locals as a place where many exchange students reside during their time in Lille. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
Initial reporting by French media indicated that Alba had left with documents, a laptop, and a mobile phone, which complicated the investigators’ task in locating him. While some in his circle suspected the possibility of a voluntary departure, others urged caution, noting that a disappearance of this nature could involve a range of scenarios. Authorities and relatives alike pursued several lines of inquiry, including calls to nearby hospitals as they explored whether Alba might have sustained an accident or been in an unfamiliar area. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
The unfolding story raised questions about the safety of international students and the channels through which universities and local authorities coordinate to ensure the well-being of Erasmus participants. Observers emphasized the importance of timely reporting, clear communication between agencies, and the role of social networks in helping to reconstruct a missing person’s timeline. As the case continued to develop, experts highlighted the value of establishing routine check-ins and trusted contact points for exchange students studying abroad. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
In Lille, community members who knew Alba described him as diligent and studious, someone deeply engaged in his coursework and the academic life of the university. The disappearance had sparked concern among fellow students and faculty, many of whom organized informal searches and shared information through messaging groups to assist in locating him. The turn of events—leading to a discovered location in Iceland—has shifted the focus from uncertainty to the practical step of verifying his safety and understanding what happened in the intervening days. (Citation: EFE Murcia)
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent location, including how he traveled from Lille to Iceland and what factors may have contributed to the separation from his usual routines. Legal observers note that extradition or cross-border travel considerations may emerge if there are questions about consent, safety, or other legal aspects linked to a student abroad. In the meantime, Alba’s family has expressed relief at the news of his safety and has requested privacy as the next steps are determined. (Citation: EFE Murcia)