Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, were hiking through the Dolomites in northern Italy and were last heard from at 2.20pm on January 1, when they sent messages to their loved ones in England
A body has been found in the search for one of two British hikers who went missing in the Dolomites, according to authorities.
Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, were hiking in northern Italy and were last heard from at 2.20pm on January 1, when they sent messages to their loved ones in England. They were due to return home on January 6, but a search and rescue operation was launched as the two friends, both from London, didn’t board their return flight.
Italy’s alpine rescue service confirmed this morning a body was found “unfortunately lifeless, buried under the snow” after a helicopter search resumed on Wednesday. One of their backpacks and equipment were found this morning during a search of a bivouac hut where they were said to have sheltered at.
One of the bodies was found in a high-altitude area where a phone signal was last recorded from one of them, authorities added. A video on the day they were last heard from said they planned to leave their backpacks for a day before moving to the next valley as they wanted a day “frolicking.”
Mr Ziriat said in the clip they had just stayed at “this little Bivacco – absolute quality little setup”, and he added: “It’s a bit icy and I’m only wearing my flipflops.”
The rescue team said it would continue in its search for the other man. Authorities in Italy said it is unusual for hikers to go missing at this time of year. Crystal Palace Football Club, where Mr Ziriat works, posted an appeal for information on social media, writing: “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 two were last heard from at 14:20 on Wednesday, 1st January, and they were believed to be near a hut called Casina Dosson – near the town Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda. We are appealing for anyone familiar with the area, who can provide assistance or information, to get in touch. If you know the area and can help, please dial 999 and reference CAD 0197/07 Jan25.”
The football club also shared descriptions of the two men and an image of the route the were possibly following when they disappeared. Mr Ziriat, who is described as being 6’3, went to the University of Brighton, while Mr Harris who is 5’11, was a student at Oxford Brookes.
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and a friend of the missing men, 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.
“We know they were near Casina Dosson Tione Di Trento, near Rival Del Garda, on Lake Garda, and possibly this route (see image attached). We urgently need help locating them. If you have experience with mountain rescue or know people who might be able to help please dm me asap. Thank you!”
