Rescuers have found the body of a British hiker in the Dolomites in Northern Italy. The 36-year-old Londoner had been missing since New Year’s Day.
The body of 36-year-old Aziz Ziriat from London was found in the Passo di Conca area under a layer of snow, local rescuers report.
Ziriat was hiking in Northern Italy with his friend Sam Harris, 35. Relatives and friends of the two knew that they had been in a mountain hut near the town of Tione Di Trento on January 1st.
When Ziriat and Harris missed their return flight to London on January 6, the authorities were informed of their disappearance. A friend of Ziriat told BBC News that the two were “experienced hikers” who enjoyed hiking off-grid. “But alarm bells rang” when they hadn’t checked in for their flight home.
Harris’s body was found on January 8 under a layer of snow on the same mountain, shortly after the two were reported missing. Ziriat’s body was found a kilometer away and 400 meters lower.
Ziriat’s family has been informed of the discovery of his body. The British Foreign Office reports to The Guardian that the ministry is supporting the family and is in contact with the local authorities.