As the search for the missing United States vice consul James Hogan on the island of Curaçao goes on, his disappearance remains a mystery.

The many tips being received from the public via special telephone numbers are all being followed up, police spokesman Reginald Huggins told Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

Mr Hogan disappeared on the island in the Netherlands Antilles more than a week and a half ago after he went out for an evening walk. All that has been found of him are his mobile phone and a pair of jeans bearing traces of blood. Large teams have been scouring Spanish Water, an enclosed bay east of Willemstad, aided by coastguard helicopters and the US navy. According to the local police spokesman, Hogan’s body could have been washed into the bay by the strong current. His jeans and mobile were found on the seaward side of the peninsula, which is also being searched.

According to Mr Huggins, the investigation is still being led by the public prosecutor’s office in collaboration with the local police, and not by the FBI, as a report in the Dutch press suggested. However, the Netherlands and the US are providing technical expertise. The police spokesman did not exclude the possibility that FBI agents might be on the island, but said they are not part of the investigation team. The investigation is remaining open to any possible scenarios concerning Mr Hogan’s disappearance.

Although the US media have reported the case, so far they appear to be following it at a distance. Comparisons are inevitably being drawn to the dissappearance of US teenager Natalee Holloway, who went missing on the Antillean island of Aruba in 2005.