Chinese teens vanish in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 30 (UPI) -- More Chinese children have vanished from a reception center in Sweden where they were given temporary refuge.

Officials say 96 children appearing to be between the ages of 12 and 18 have entered the country in the past year, The Local reported. Ninety have disappeared with 30 of them picked up by police in other countries.

Britt Eklund, chief executive of the Sigtuna Council, which finds temporary homes for the children, said most vanish within a few days of arrival. He fears they have been brought to Sweden by human traffickers.

The flow of children slowed down last year after a Chinese couple was convicted of trafficking. But authorities say the problem has picked up recently, with 23 disappearances in the past three weeks.

Barry Gunnarson, head of the police force at Arlanda Airport, said border police confiscate cell phones from the Chinese children. But he said many have phone cards concealed in their clothing.