‘Panic sets in’ for family of British dad John Hardy missing in Spain

The sister of a British man who has been missing in Spain for nine days has said “panic” is setting in.

Courtney George last spoke to her brother John Hardy on Saturday 14 December, around the time she believes he was due to drive from Alicante to Benidorm.

She reported him missing after he failed to get on his flight home on Wednesday 18 December.

Mr Hardy, from Belfast, has several tattoos, including half a sleeve on his right arm and a panther on his torso.

Police in Northern Ireland have confirmed a 37-year-old is believed to be missing.

Ms George said her brother, who has two sons, would “never” go so long without contacting her.

“Another day waking up hoping what is going on is a nightmare, but realising this is real life. The panic sets in,” she wrote on Facebook yesterday.

“Another day, no contact from John – never ever would this happen… What’s Christmas without family? My big brother hasn’t just vanished! That doesn’t happen!”

She added today his sons “need to know” where their dad is.

She continued: “There will be no Christmas for my family. The only thing we are focused on is getting our loved one back.”

The distressed Ms George is offering a reward for anyone with “any helpful information to find John”.

She has also launched a fundraising page on GoFundMe to pay for family members to travel to Spain to hunt for her missing brother.

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The Police Service in Northern Ireland said the force had “received a report on Wednesday, 18th December that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was believed to be missing”.

It added: “Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with our international policing partners.”