Family of Five Mysteriously Vanishes on Famed Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Route
Authorities in northern Spain have launched a massive search operation after a family of five from the United States was reported missing while walking the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The family — a couple in their 40s and their three children aged 9, 12, and 15 — was last seen near the town of Astorga in the province of León on June 24.
Local hostel owners reported the family missing after they failed to arrive at their reserved accommodation. Pilgrims traveling along the popular Camino Francés route also said they had briefly encountered the family days earlier, describing them as friendly and well-prepared.
“We’re deeply concerned,” said Guardia Civil spokesperson Laura Hernández. “There’s no indication they left the route intentionally. We’re treating this as a high-priority case.”
The family reportedly began their pilgrimage in Pamplona in early June and had been documenting their journey on social media, but their accounts have gone silent since June 22. Their posts showed them in good spirits, enjoying local villages, and engaging with fellow pilgrims.
Search and rescue teams, drones, and canine units have been deployed across a 50-kilometer radius, with assistance from local volunteers and hikers. Authorities have urged anyone who may have seen the family to come forward.
The Camino de Santiago, a centuries-old pilgrimage route culminating in Santiago de Compostela, attracts hundreds of thousands of walkers each year. While generally considered safe, remote stretches of the trail can pose risks, especially in poor weather or if hikers veer off marked paths.
Officials remain hopeful for a safe outcome but are expanding search efforts as each day passes. “We are not giving up,” Hernández stated. “We will find them.”
This is a developing story.
