Rescue groups trying to find Brit lacking since New Year’s Day make shock discovery
Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were hiking in Italy’s Dolomites mountains when they went missing on January 1. Now rescue teams have found items belonging to Ziriat
Search teams have uncovered personal items belonging to a British hiker who has been missing in the Dolomites since New Year’s Day.
The discovery follows the tragic finding of his hiking companion whose body was located under snow earlier this week. Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, from London had embarked on a trek in Italy’s scenic mountains and were expected back home by January 6. Concerns raised when the pair did not return, prompting an extensive search operation.
The mobile phone signals led rescuers to the Passo di Conca area where Mr Harris was found, and now, belongings of Mr Ziriat have been recovered by Italy’s national alpine cliff and cave rescue corps (CNSAS).
Amidst the ongoing search for Mr Ziriat, Spencer Jones, a close friend and business partner of Mr Harris, expressed his grief on Instagram: “To say I am devastated would be an understatement, and I have no words to fully describe how I am feeling at the moment.”
Jones continued to honour his friend’s memory, saying: “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 last confirmed sighting of the pair was at a mountain refuge named Casina Dosson. A video message sent on the day of their disappearance showed them in high spirits, planning to leave their backpacks behind as they ventured into the next valley, looking forward to a day of “frolicking”.
Joe Stone, a university friend of the missing Mr Ziriat, has previously admitted that despite all efforts to locate the 36-year-old, there’s a grim acceptance among friends. 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.”
In a heartfelt plea, Crystal Palace Football Club, where Mr Ziriat is employed, reached out on social media for help: “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.”
