Sister of Belfast man missing in Spain says her 'heart is ripping' as search goes on

The sister of a man who has been missing in south-eastern Spain for more than a week has told UTV that her 'heart is ripping' as the search for him goes on.

John Hardy hasn't been in contact with friends or family since Saturday 14 December.

He was due to return home to Northern Ireland on 18 December but wasn't on his flight.

Mr Hardy, 37, had travelled to Alicante where he was to drive to the popular holiday resort town of Benidorm to meet and stay over with a friend.

However, his sister Courtney believes that her older brother never made it to Benidorm.

"As the days go on, it's just not good," she said.

"Because as the days go on, you're thinking everything. Everything is going on in your head. You're worried sick, you're thinking of the worst and people are saying he's probably partying. He's not partying."

Mr Hardy from west Belfast, is a father to two sons. His father went out to Spain over the last few days to talk to police and to raise awareness about his missing son.

"I know he's not going to be home for Christmas," added Courtney.

"He has two sons, and they need their daddy."

A Go Fund Me page has also raised nearly £10,000 in a bid to allow as many people as possible to join the search for their loved one in Spain.

His family says all expenses will be covered through any donations.

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities."

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