Hikers Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, have not been heard from in 11 days after visiting the Dolomites in Italy and authorities have given an update on the search
Rescue teams searching for a Brit who has been missing since New Year’s Day have found several items belonging to the hiker, days after the body of his friend was discovered.
Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were hiking in Italy’s Dolomites mountains when they went missing on January 1. They were due to return home on January 6, but when the pair failed to board their flights home, a search and rescue operation was launched.
Mr Harris’ body was found buried under snow in the Passo di Conca area on Wednesday after teams tracked their mobile phones to the area. Now teams from Italy’s national alpine cliff and cave rescue corps (CNSAS) say they have found items belonging to Mr Ziriat.
It comes as Mr Harris’s best friend and business partner paid tribute to him. In a post on Instagram, Spencer Jones said: “To say I am devastated would be an understatement, and I have no words to fully describe how I am feeling at the moment.
“The search is ongoing for our good friend Aziz Ziriat, so for now, I want to focus on Sam. He was an amazing friend of 23 years, ever since our school days.
“He was probably the most knowledgeable person I have ever known. Building the business with him has been an incredible journey.”
The pair’s last known location had been a mountain hut called Casina Dosson. 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”.
Joe Stone, a university friend of Mr Ziriat, previously said authorities are “trying everything” to find the 36-year-old. He said: “There is an acceptance among us it’s not going to be good news, but it would be really nice to find him and be put out of this limbo.”
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.”
