Rescue teams temporarily suspended the search on Friday for Aziz Ziriat, the missing British hiker, in the Dolomite Mountains. The search should continue today, weather permitting.
Mr Ziriat and his companion, Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were last heard from on 1 January. Authorities raised the alarm when the pair missed their return flight on 6 January.
On Wednesday, rescue teams found a body believed to be Mr Harris. The discovery was made under snow near a rock face on Carè Alto mountain, at an altitude of about 2,400 metres. It was close to the last recorded phone signal from one of the men. The exact cause of death for the body found remains unclear.
The search for Mr Ziriat in the same area has not yielded further results. Italian rescue services said bad weather, including fog and snowfall, has hindered operations. On Thursday, teams temporarily suspended the search due to worsening conditions.
By Friday, rescuers cleared snow from the Val di Borzago road to allow helicopter searches. Over 50 personnel, including Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza, Carabinieri, and local fire services, are involved.
Authorities are now deciding on the next steps, with search efforts expected to continue on Saturday.
