Frantic search launched for two Brit friends missing since New Year’s Day after pair vanished on Italian mountain hike
A DESPERATE search and rescue mission has been launched for two Brits missing since New Year’s Day after they went on a mountain hike.
Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, from London, were last seen and heard from a week ago, after sending messages home from the Italian Dolomites.
Fears for the pair grew after they missed their flight home on 6 January.
The friends were last known to be near a hut called Casina Dosson which is near the town Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda.
A mass search for the friends has encountered difficulties due to heavy snowfall in recent days, according to local authorities.
Italian rescue teams revealed the harsh weather has made reaching the area increasingly difficult.
Authorities added that it was unusual for hikers in the area to go missing this time of year.
Aziz and Sam’s friends are flying out to the Trentino region this evening to help with the frantic search mission.
Crystal Palace F.C. has appealed for information to help find the pair as one of the friends works for the club.
Aziz works for the Premier League club’s official Palace For Life charity.
A desperate post from Palace on X said: “A member of the Palace For Life staff and his friend have been missing since 1st January in the Dolomites.
“If anyone knows the area, is able to support further or has any information that will help, please call 999 and reference CAD 0197/07 Jan25.”
Mustafa Suleyman the chief executive of Microsoft’s AI division, also issued a desperate appeal on LinkedIn on Tuesday.
He said: “I urgently need your help! Two of my friends have gone missing whilst hiking in the Dolomites.
“We know they were near Casina Dosson Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda.”
The club also shared a map of possible routes the duo could have taken on their hike.
Palace fans have been urged to share images and information on their social outlets to increase the search for the missing friends.
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