Twin sisters living in Portugal ‘go missing in Dubai’

The family of two 23-year-old Angolan twin sisters living in Portugal has appealed for help/ information after the two young women disappeared, apparently following a trip to Dubai.

According to appeals shared on social media, Leila and Laila Lourenço were last known to be in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, after travelling from Portugal under circumstances that have left their family “deeply concerned”.

Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã reports that relatives were unaware the sisters intended to travel to Dubai, stressing neither had the financial means to make the trip.

Relatives said the twins said they were travelling to Porto – but images later posted on social media suggest they went instead to Dubai.

Family members also report that the sisters’ Angolan passports have disappeared and that both mobile phones have been switched off for days.

The family has contacted the relevant embassies, as well as police authorities in Portugal and Dubai, but says it has received no information about the women’s whereabouts.

Portuguese news outlet Notícias ao Minuto has contacted both the PSP, Public Security Police, and PJ Judicial Police and is awaiting a response.

The disappearance has prompted widespread concern within the Angolan community in Portugal and abroad – with numerous appeals circulating on social media urging anyone with information about Leila and Laila Lourenço’s whereabouts to contact the authorities, or their family.

At the time of publication, no official information had been released by the Portuguese or Emirati authorities regarding the case.

Sources: Correio da Manhã, Notícias ao Minuto, and family appeals published on social media.

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.