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Body found in search for British climbers missing in Italy Body found in Dolomites believed to be that of missing Briton Sam Harris
(about 4 hours later)
Discovery comes almost a week after Aziz Ziriat and Sam Harris went missing in Dolomites Discovery comes a week after Harris and his friend Aziz Ziriat went missing in Italian mountains
A body has been found in the search for Aziz Ziriat and Sam Harris, two British hikers who have been missing in the Dolomites for nearly a week, Italy’s alpine rescue service said. A body found in the search for two missing British walkers in the Dolomites is believed to be that of Sam Harris, Italy’s alpine rescue service said.
The body, which has not yet been identified, was found buried beneath snow at about 2,600 metres above sea level in the area of the Conca pass in the Adamello nature park. The 35-year-old’s body was found buried in deep snow at the foot of a cliff at about 2,600 metres above sea level in the area of the Conca pass in the Adamello nature park.
“The dynamics of the accident are being assessed,” the rescue service said in a statement. The search is continuing for the second hiker. Harris’s body was recovered by helicopter and transferred to Spiazzo in Trento. “The dynamics of the accident are still being examined by the police but it is possible that the mountaineer fell from a height,” the rescue service said in a statement.
The discovery came after two rucksacks and other equipment were found in a camping spot on Wednesday. The discovery came after two rucksacks and other equipment were found in a refuge on Wednesday. The location of Harris’s body was traced through his mobile phone.
Ziriat, 36, and Harris, 35, have been missing since New Year’s Day, when they last sent messages home. The pair, both from London, did not check in to their flight home on 6 January. Their relatives have travelled to Italy. Harris’s family who are in Italy helping with the search are believed to have been informed.
The land and air search for his friend Aziz Ziriat, 36, was stalled on Wednesday afternoon due to wind, fog and the risk of avalanches.
“As soon as a window of good weather permits, the search for the second climber will resume,” the rescue service said.
Ziriat and Harrishave been missing since New Year’s Day, when they last sent messages home. The pair, both from London, did not check in to their flight home on 6 January. Their relatives have travelled to Italy.
On Tuesday, Crystal Palace’s official charity, Palace for Life, where Ziriat worked, appealed for anyone who knew the area where they went missing and could help to call 999 with the reference: CAD 0197/07 Jan25.On Tuesday, Crystal Palace’s official charity, Palace for Life, where Ziriat worked, appealed for anyone who knew the area where they went missing and could help to call 999 with the reference: CAD 0197/07 Jan25.
The search on Tuesday was hampered by bad weather.The search on Tuesday was hampered by bad weather.
The men’s last known location was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda.The men’s last known location was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda.
Joe Stone, a university friend of Ziriat, told the PA news agency the pair were experienced hikers who liked to go off the grid, but “alarm bells were raised” when they failed to check in for their return flight.Joe Stone, a university friend of Ziriat, told the PA news agency the pair were experienced hikers who liked to go off the grid, but “alarm bells were raised” when they failed to check in for their return flight.
He said: “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.”He said: “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.”
Ziriat’s girlfriend and friends of the hikers are in Italy helping to coordinate the search with local authorities.Ziriat’s girlfriend and friends of the hikers are in Italy helping to coordinate the search with local authorities.
Stone praised the public response and said they had seen a “nice side of humanity” since asking for help. He added: “The response from the local authorities has been fantastic and people from all walks of life have been trying to help, both in Italy and in the UK.”Stone praised the public response and said they had seen a “nice side of humanity” since asking for help. He added: “The response from the local authorities has been fantastic and people from all walks of life have been trying to help, both in Italy and in the UK.”