Search efforts are ongoing for British hiker Aziz Ziriat, who went missing in the Italian Dolomites with his friend Samuel Harris. Mr. Harris’ body was found on Wednesday. Mr. Ziriat's family has released a statement expressing their devastation and gratitude for the search efforts.
The family of a missing British hiker has released a heartbreaking statement as the search for him continues in the Italian Dolomites. Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, went missing on New Year's Day. They were last heard from when they sent a video of the scenery to family and friends. Fears for their safety grew when they failed to return home from Italy on January 6th. On Wednesday, search teams announced Mr. Harris' body was discovered. Rescuers are still searching for Mr. Ziriat.
Mr. Ziriat's family said in a statement: 'We have been devastated by the loss of our beloved Aziz. Our appreciation for the co-ordinated work and expertise of the Alpine Rescue, emergency services and volunteers in Italy is immeasurable. The work they have been doing, battling against challenging terrain and weather conditions, and their commitment to finding Aziz has been outstanding. We are also incredibly grateful for the overwhelmingly kind and generous ongoing support from family and friends, Aziz is continuing to be loved and prayed for. We hope, with all our hearts, he will be found and brought home soon.' Friend Joe Stone told the PA news agency that although search teams were 'trying everything' to find Mr. Ziriat, 'there is an acceptance among us that it's not going to be good news'. He added that friends and family are 'waiting anxiously' on news in the search and that 'the next few hours will be crucial'. The hikers were last spotted in the Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda on Lake Garda. Around 40 rescuers have been airlifted to high altitudes to dig in snow to search for Mr. Ziriat. Walter Cainelli, president of the Trentino Alpine Rescue Corps, confirmed a search dog found a pair of glasses belonging to Mr. Ziriat close to Mr. Harris's body. Mr. Cainelli said: 'Our avalanche search dog Thor picked up Aziz Ziriat's scent and found his glasses not far from where we found Samuel Harris. From here we intend to search the area in detail within a half-kilometer radius and then extend it if it is unsuccessful.' Mr. Ziriat's girlfriend and friends of the hikers are currently in Italy helping to co-ordinate the search with local authorities. Mr. Stone said the response from the public had been 'fantastic' and that 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.
MISSING HIKER DOLOMITES ITALY SEARCH FAMILY
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