The police say that there is no evidence of foul play in the case against an eight-year old boy who was found in a rainwater drain more than one week after he went missing in northern Germany.

Joe, the boy who was identified as Joe, vanished on June 17, in Oldenburg. After searching for the boy for days, search parties heard him whimpering under a manhole cover 330 yards away from his home on June 25, according to reports. Rescuers discovered the boy, who was naked and had been dehydrated in the sewer. Later, his clothes were found in another part of the sewer.

Oldenburg police stated Tuesday that they concluded that the boy probably climbed into a drain pipe near his house and got lost in the tunnels. Witnesses who claimed they saw the boy in the tunnels alone or with an adult were mistaken.

Police said that the boy remains in hospital and has not been interrogated by officers.

Police stated that the search involved a wide range of departments, including fire brigades, police and other agencies across the country. They also said that many citizens participated in the search for Joe.

Johann Kuhme, Oldenburg Police President, said that he was impressed by the extraordinary commitment shown over the past days. “I want to thank all the volunteers and main forces that worked tirelessly to find the missing child, and those who gave their best to help them do so.