The sister of a Brit who has been missing hiking in the Italian mountains with his friend since New Year’s Day has said she is « desperate » for an update on his whereabouts.
Brits Aziz Ziriat and Samuel Harris have not been missing since January 1. The pair had been hiking in the Dolomites mountains in northeastern Italy.
Miriam Ziriat has not heard from her brother Aziz but is waiting for more information while an urgent search is underway.
She told the Mailonline: « I’m just really, really concerned about them and just desperate to hear something about their whereabouts, just to hear that they’re okay. It’s just obviously very, very worrying.
‘It’s not unusual for us not to hear from him on these kind of trips. He has done these mountaineering trips and tracks before, but he is usually in a larger group – there are only two of them on this trip. »
A friend of the British hikers has also spoken out, saying friends and family are « waiting anxiously » for news and that « the next few hours are crucial » in the search.
He told the PA news agency: « They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasn’t surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid.
« Alarm bells were raised though when they didn’t turn up for their flight on January 6. Helicopters are now searching two specific locations – two refuge huts. We think that’s going to be the best chance of success.
« We’re all waiting anxiously and the next few hours are crucial. »
Another friend Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI also shared an appeal on LinkedIn as the search continues.
He wrote: « Hi everyone, I urgently need your help! Two of my friends have gone missing whilst hiking in the Dolomites. They are both 35 and have been missing since 1st January while hiking in the snow.
It’s noted as uncommon for hikers to vanish during this period, sparking concern among search teams which include Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza, Carabinieri and local firefighters.
But efforts have been hampered by harsh weather and recent snow, local outlet Il Dolomiti’s reports.
Crystal Palace Football Club—Ziriat’s employer—pleaded on social media: « Crystal Palace urges supporters to share any information they might have to help locate Palace for Life Foundation staff member Aziz Ziriat, and his friend Sam Harris, who have been missing since 1st January whilst hiking in the Dolomites mountains in northeastern Italy. »
The missing pair’s last known location is thought to be near the town of Tione Di Trento, close to Riva del Garda on Lake Garda.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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