My favourite news story today was about the two children, aged six and seven, who set off to get married. They set off from Hannover, Germany on New Year’s Eve, determined to tie the knot under the African sun.
Waiting for a train to the airport, they aroused the attention of a guard who contacted police, possibly as their packing had included the essentials of sunglasses, a lilo, summer clothes and provisions.
More Details
update 3 January 2026
The story is about two young German “sweethearts”, Mika (6) and Anna‑Lena (7), from Hanover who tried to elope to Africa for a sunny wedding on New Year’s Eve 2008/09, but were stopped by police at the station after a guard became suspicious of their luggage.[1][2]
Original news links
- BBC News: “Child elopers’ Africa plan foiled” (Europe section, January 2009).[3]
- The Local (Germany): “Sweethearts aged six and seven elope for Africa” – this matches your wording almost exactly, including “determined to tie the knot under the African sun.”[1]
- NZ Herald: “Boy and girl, six and seven, try to elope to sunny Africa.”[2]
- Reuters syndicated piece: “Police foil German children’s dash to Africa.”[4]
These all report on the same incident and are the most likely sources you drew on for your 2009 blog post.[3][1][4][2]
Key details of the incident
- The children were:
- Mika, aged 6, and Anna‑Lena, aged 7, from Hanover in northern Germany.[1][2]
- Accompanied by Anna‑Lena’s 5‑year‑old sister, who came along as a “witness” for the wedding.[5][6]
- Their plan:
- They intended to fly from Hanover to Africa to get married “under the African sun” after taking a tram to the main railway station, then a train to the airport.[1][4][7]
- They reportedly chose Africa because it is “warm” and because they wanted a holiday‑style wedding.[1][7]
Luggage and how they were caught
- What they packed:
- Bathing/swimming costumes, a lilo, sunglasses, summer clothes and food/provisions, matching the details in your post.[4][2][8]
- At least three suitcases, which looked unusually large for such small children.[4][2]
- How they were stopped:
- A railway worker/guard at Hanover’s central station noticed the children with their luggage early on New Year’s Day and contacted the police.[1][4]
- The police described the children as “very serious” about their plan but persuaded them they might struggle to get far without money or tickets.[3][1]
- Instead of a trip to Africa, the officers arranged for them to visit the station’s police office and later took them back to their parents, who had been unaware they had left the house.[3][1][9]
Aftermath and reactions
- Police and media:
- German police treated the incident as a harmless but serious escape attempt, emphasising the children were never in real danger.[3][1]
- The story was widely picked up internationally as a light‑hearted “human interest” piece, with some outlets dubbing them “Romeo and Juliet” or “child elopers.”[7][6]
- Parents:
- Reports indicate the parents were shocked but relieved; they agreed the children were very close and had seriously discussed marriage and a holiday in Africa.[1][10]
Sources
[1] Sweethearts aged six and seven elope for Africa – The Local Germany https://www.thelocal.de/20090105/16543
[2] Boy and girl, six and seven, try to elope to sunny Africa – NZ Herald https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/boy-and-girl-six-and-seven-try-to-elope-to-sunny-africa/IW7QCORUTVCIIFV63MXN7RNYNM/
[3] Europe | Child elopers’ Africa plan foiled – BBC NEWS http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7811686.stm
[4] Police foil German children’s dash to Africa – Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/police-foil-german-children-s-dash-to-africa-idUSTRE504441/
[5] 6 & 7-year-olds caught trying to elope – RTE https://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0105/112312-germany/
[6] Germans, Aged 5 and 7, Try to Elope for Africa Wedding | Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/story/germans-aged-5-and-7-try-to-elope-for-africa-wedding
[7] 6-year-old Romeo, 7-year-old Juliet elope – China Daily http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-01/06/content_7369703.htm
[8] Baby, let’s elope – Mid-day https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/Baby–let-s-elope-26570
[9] 5yo, 6yo try to elope to Africa – ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-01-06/5yo-6yo-try-to-elope-to-africa/257336
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