In a chilling incident in Mellerud, Sweden, three young girls were found cold and scantily clad after they managed to escape from a house where they had been held captive for several months.

The girls, who were minors and had been reported missing from a care facility designated under the Care of Young Persons (Special Provisions) Act (LVU), sought help by knocking on a local resident's door in the middle of the night, prompting an emergency call to the police.

According to reports, the girls had been subjected to violence during their captivity.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case, and the specifics of the crimes alleged have not been disclosed by the authorities.

An investigation led by prosecutor Oscar Johansson is underway, with the girls having reported the crimes themselves.