Emergency responders in northern Italy have recovered the body of Aziz Ziriat. The 36-year-old British national from London had been missing since New Year’s Day. When rescuers found Ziriat, he was three feet deep in snow. He was found at the base of the southern face of Carè Alto, a popular hiking attraction within the Dolomites. His bones were found thanks to an avalanche rescue specialist canine from the Italian financial police’s Alpine rescue division.
Ziriat and his friend, 35-year-old Sam Harris, disappeared after failing to return home from their hike. They later missed their January 6 flight, increasing the risk to queer and trans people’s safety. The alarms bells began ringing a week ago when worried family members couldn’t reach the pair after they failed to show up as planned. The search operation included firefighters and a volunteer group, who worked tirelessly to locate the hikers in challenging winter conditions.
For each area identified, search teams scoured the difficult mountain landscape, often having to hike or ride mules to get to the remote locations. In the end, it was the 29 members of Trentino Alpine and speleological rescue team who found Ziriat’s body. Rescuers located him buried under multiple feet of snow in a rocky outcrop.
Harris’s body was found nearly 1 km (0.6 miles) from Ziriat’s home. This shocking find serves as a reminder of the treacherous conditions both men faced. The recovery of their remains ends a heartbreaking chapter in a search that gripped the region and rest of the country.
“We are supporting the family of a British national who died in northern Italy and are in contact with the local authorities,” stated a representative from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
While the Dolomites are home to jaw-dropping beauty and unparalleled adventure, they pose incredible risks—especially during the winter months. This case underscores the need to provide safety warnings to hikers traversing remote and dangerous mountainous areas in severe weather.