Two of the six teenage members of the Burundi robotics team who went missing from Washington this week have crossed into Canada and have been reported safe by the D.C. police on Thursday.

According to Washington Post, A D.C. police spokeswoman identified the teens in Canada as Don Charu Ingabire, 16, and Audrey Mwamikazi, 17.

The four others also are believed to be in safe hands, but authorities declined to provide further details. – an indication that the teenagers may have left on their own accord.

The teens were originally in the District to compete in an international FIRST Global Challenge robotics competition, which drew young people from 157 nations to Constitution Hall in Northwest Washington.

Police said the teens from the small East African country were reported missing Wednesday. They were last seen about 5 p.m. Tuesday, shortly before the event closed around 6:30 p.m.

In addition to Ingabire and Mwamikazi, Richard Irakoze, 18, Kevin Sabumukiza, 17, Nice Munezero, 17 and Aristide Irambona, 18, also were reported missing.

 

Officials from the Burundi Embassy in Washington said Thursday they are aware of the situation but had no other information. A State Department spokesman referred all questions to local authorities.

Escotto said he believed the Burundi team members had attended closing ceremonies, which began at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

 

A statement by the organisation said that students were housed in dormitories at Trinity Washington University and were “always to be under close supervision of their adult mentor and are advised not to leave the premises unaccompanied by the mentor.”

Ann Pauley, a spokeswoman for the university, referred all questions to FIRST Global. She confirmed that the organization rented residence hall space for some of the visiting teams.

“First Local was fully responsible for supervision of the students,” Pauley said Thursday. “Trinity was notified of the missing Burundi team and is fully cooperating with the investigation.”