Police: Missing sisters hunt not a criminal case

The sisters are photographed with their brother

The disappearance of two sisters in Aberdeen a week ago is not being treated as a criminal inquiry, police have confirmed.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, who are both 32 and originally from Hungary, were last seen in Market Street at Victoria Bridge at about 02:12 on Tuesday 7 January.

The sisters - who are part of a set of triplets - live in Aberdeen city centre, after moving to Scotland several years ago.

Police Scotland's Supt Davie Howieson said one theory was that the sisters had disappeared after going into the water.

Supt Davie Howieson said a major investigation was continuing

Speaking at a media event by the River Dee, he said: "There are no suspects. This is not a criminal inquiry, this is a missing persons inquiry."

He said the force had "a number of hypotheses" and they were remaining open-minded in terms of what may have happened.

One of the main theories was that the sisters had entered the water in the area being searched.

The area was covered in snow and ice when the sisters disappeared, after a spell of bitterly cold weather.

"What we do know is that, at the moment, CCTV provides that they entered a footpath adjacent to the River Dee and we have no trace of them leaving that footpath yet," he said.

"Inquiries continue to see if we can extend that timeline further."

The search has taken place around the River Dee in Aberdeen

He said the alarm was raised by the landlord of the sisters.

"In the days preceding, the sisters had indicated to the landlord that they intended to leave their tenancy and the landlord carried out inquiries at the address which has led them to be concerned about the whereabouts of the sisters."

Supt Howieson said the sisters appeared to have been living a normal life in Aberdeen.

'We've carried out extensive inquiries in terms of the state of mind the sisters may have been in, the lifestyles, movements, contact with friends and family," he said.

"Everything that we have gleaned so far suggests that they were happily living this life in Aberdeen - working, socialising with friends and keeping in touch with family in an entirely normal manner.''

The river search is continuing

Supt Howieson said police remained "extremely concerned" for Eliza and Henrietta.

"Considerable efforts are being made to search the river and the surrounding area. We have spoken to a number of people in the course of our inquiries," he said.

"We continue to examine all the available CCTV footage to try and establish the sisters' movements in the early hours of Tuesday."

He added: "We remain in regular contact with Eliza and Henrietta's family in Hungary and continue to provide them with support.

"We know our concern is shared by people across Aberdeen and the north-east. I would urge anyone who may have information, which has not yet been passed to police, to get in touch."

Officers spoke to pedestrians and motorists in the area in an early morning operation on Tuesday, a week on from their disappearance, to try and shed more light on the movements of the sisters.

Extensive searches have been carried out, with the police helicopter, divers and dogs involved.

Relatives released a statement on Monday evening appealing to anyone with any information that could help in the search to come forward.

"This has been a very worrying and upsetting time for our family," the statement read.

"We are really worried about Eliza and Henrietta and all we want is for them to be found."

The women are both described as white and of slim build with long brown hair.