Authorities in Malaysia searching for missing girl Nora Quoirin have begun to fear for her survival, according to a local police chief.
Nora, a 15-year-old who has learning disabilities, was reported missing last Sunday, a day after her family had arrived at the Dusun resort in Seremban.
Her family previously expressed concerns over her vulnerability and said she "does not go anywhere on her own".
Mohamad Mat Yusop, police chief of Negeri Sembilan state where Seremban is located, said: "We are very worried about (her) welfare and we don't know how long (she) can survive."
Police also confirmed they were looking into people with criminal backgrounds around the area and had searched the homes of hotel staff.
Teams are scouring the dense landscape around the Dusun forest eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state.
The teenager, who was born with the brain defect holoprosencephaly, needs help with many aspects of everyday life.
This has prompted family fears she may have been abducted from the resort during the night.
So far attempts to trace the teenager have proved unsuccessful, with police looking into footprints discovered nearby which may suggest Nora escaped alone.
Search crews have also begun playing recorded voice messages from Nora's mother, Meabh Quoirin, through the forest in an attempt to reach the missing youngster.
Her mother Meabh Quoirin stood beside her husband Sebastian and held back tears as she said “terima kasih”, or “thank you” in Malay, to those looking for Nora.
Ms Quoirin praised the dedication and expertise shown by those looking for her daughter.
She said: "To be with us here, it means the world to us. We are so grateful for everything that you are doing for us, everyone who is helping here and not from here.
"We are extremely impressed by the effort, your expertise, your dedication and we hope you find Nora. And thank you so much and terima kasih.”
The Irish-French family, who have lived in London for 20 years, described how the youngster was particularly vulnerable and said in a statement: "Nora is a very special person. She is fun, funny, and extremely loving. With her family, she is very affectionate - family is her whole world.
"She is not like other teenagers. She is not independent and does not go anywhere alone.
"Nora has always needed dedicated specialist educational provision, and now attends a school for children and young people with learning and communication difficulties.
"Nora and her family are bi-lingual and bi-cultural. Nora is very proud that she can speak French as well as English. But her verbal communication is limited.
"Nora can read like a young child, but she cannot write more than a few words. She has a good memory but she cannot understand anything conceptual. She is unable to do maths and so things like money are impossible to manage.
"She cannot make or receive phone calls independently."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lucie Blackman Trust intelligence on ops@lbtrust.org or +44 800 098 8485.
Additional reporting by agencies.
