Argentinian police raided a home in the city of Mendoza as part of an investigation into the disappearance of two Israeli sisters, local media reported Thursday.
Pyrhia Sarusi, 63, and, and Lily Pereg, 54, had recently arrived in Argentina, where they were supposed to be visiting Pereg's son, Nicolás Gil Pereg. According to a local report, the overnight raid was conducted at the son's home, although he is not considered a suspect.
Relatives of Sarusi and Pereg, who also holds Australian citizenship, reported the two missing earlier this week after last making contact with them on Jan. 11.
Nicolás Pereg, 36, told local media that he had not seen his mother and aunt since they boarded a bus in Mendoza. He also said they rented an apartment not far from his home.
Concerned family members took to Facebook over the past several days, pleading with backpackers in the region to help locate them.
Sarusi's daughter Vered wrote in one post (in English):
"Have you seen them? The last we heard of them was last Friday (11.1.19), 2:30 am local time… Since then they have not been in contact with family members in Israel and Australia. Have you been in Mendoza in the last few days? Have you met them, or seen them? Do you know someone who is currently in the region? If you have any information, any at all that could help. Please share [it] with us!"
According to local report, authorities are looking into their ties to the other people in the country. Sarusi owns five construction companies based in Argentina. Pereg's son, Sarusi's nephew, manages them.
According to unconfirmed local media reports, documents seized during the raid appear to suggest that Nicolás Pereg is heavily in debt.
