A family has said they are “devastated” after the belongings of a missing Crystal Palace charity worker were discovered in Italy’s Dolomite mountains as a desperate search to bring him home approaches two weeks.
Londoners Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, were last seen on New Year’s Day and failed to check into their accommodation.
Their last known location was a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, near the town of Tione di Trento, close to Riva del Garda on Lake Garda.
On Wednesday, a body believed to be that of Mr Harris was found buried under snow in the Passo di Conca area.
Aziz Ziriat and Samuel Harris had travelled to the Dolomites (Handout)
On Saturday, Mr Ziriat’s mobile phone and a card were discovered not far from where the body was found.
The search has now been going on for more than a week, prompting the family of Mr Ziriat to share their grief.
A statement read: “We have been devastated by the tragic events of the last few days.
“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.”
On Saturday more than 140 people from various rescue teams and emergency services took part in the search for the two.
A spokesman for Italy’s National Alpine Cliff and Cave Rescue Corps (CNSAS) said: “The search for the second English mountaineer missing in the Adamello group has so far yielded no results.”
Joe Stone, a university friend of Mr Ziriat, told the PA news agency that authorities are “trying everything” to find the 36-year-old.
“There is an acceptance among us that it’s not going to be good news,” Mr Stone said on Saturday.
“But it would be really nice to find him and be put out of this limbo.”
Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace football club, had previously appealed to the public who many know the area where the pair had been hiking for help.
The charity wrote on its website: “We are urging supporters to share any information they might have to help locate Palace for Life staff member Aziz Ziriat, and his friend Sam Harris, who have been missing since 1st January whilst hiking in the Dolomites mountains in north-eastern Italy.
“We are appealing for anyone familiar with the area, who can provide assistance or information, to get in touch.”