Search and rescue efforts for Aziz Ziriat, 36, a British man who went missing while hiking in the Dolomite Mountains, have been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions.
The suspension follows the discovery of a body believed to be his companion, Samuel Harris, 35, earlier this week.
Mr. Ziriat and Mr. Harris, both from London, embarked on a New Year’s hiking trip through the Dolomites but have not been heard from since January 1. Concerns were raised when the pair failed to board their return flight to the UK on January 6.
On Wednesday, Italian rescue teams located a body buried under snow at the foot of a rock face on Carè Alto mountain near Trento.
Authorities believe the body is that of Mr. Harris, though formal identification is still pending. The area where the body was found corresponds to the last known phone signal from one of the men. The cause of death remains unclear.
Weather Hampers Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams have faced significant challenges due to heavy snowfall and treacherous conditions in the mountainous region.
On Thursday, Italian rescue services confirmed that bad weather, including rain in the valleys and snowfall in higher altitudes, forced them to halt the search for Mr. Ziriat temporarily.
“Due to bad weather, with rain in the valley bottom and snowfall in the mountains, today the search for the second mountaineer missing from the Adamello group was temporarily suspended,” the statement said.
Efforts to expedite the search include clearing roads in Val di Borzago to facilitate helicopter operations, which are expected to resume on Friday.
More than 50 personnel, including members of Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue, Carabinieri, and local fire brigades, have been involved in the search.
Emotional Toll on Families
The families of both men, who have traveled to Italy, are being supported by psychologists as they await updates.
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Rebecca Dimmock, Mr. Ziriat’s girlfriend, shared details about the planned hiking trip, describing it as a nature-focused adventure.
“They wanted to go from hut to hut throughout the Dolomites,” she said. “They were planning on going off-grid, so that’s not unexpected at all. I think they wanted to have some nights where they were out in nature and in fresh air, sleeping in the wild. They have all the gear and they’ve done hikes before.”
Ms. Dimmock last spoke to Mr. Ziriat on the morning of New Year’s Day but noticed hours later that her messages were no longer being received, suggesting his phone had either died or lost signal.
Search Efforts to Resume
Rescue teams are planning to resume operations on Friday, weather permitting. Authorities will also conduct searches of huts in the valleys of Val di Borzago and Val San Valentin. Specialized avalanche search dog units are on standby to assist once conditions improve.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the risks of hiking in unpredictable winter conditions. Italian rescue teams continue to emphasize the importance of adequate preparation and caution for those venturing into high-altitude regions.
