Body of British hiker, 36, found months after going missing in Italian Dolomites

The body of a British hiker who went missing in the Dolomites on New Year’s Day has been found by mountain rescuers.

Aziz Ziriat, 36, was last heard from on January 1 while hiking with a friend, Samuel Harris, in the Italian mountain range.

Samuel, 35, was found dead just over a week after the pair went missing, his body covered in snow. Aziz’s phone, bank card and glasses were found close to his friend’s body.

This morning (May 31) Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue teams said they have found Aziz’s body, and are working to recover his remains.

The friends, who both lived in London, were planning to climb a 3,000m mountain on January 1.

Aziz filmed a video and shared it with family and friends on the day he disappeared, in which he said: ‘Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies.

‘There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes.

‘I want to attack this today, get up into some of the 3,000 bits which are up yonder.

‘Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley.’

But their families raised the alarm after they both missed their flight back to the UK on January 6.

The Italian authorities began a search of the mountain, but their efforts were hampered by heavy snow and strong winds.

They found Samuel’s body on January 8 at the base of the Care Alto peak and suggested he may have fallen from rocks above.

Rescuers traced their steps by tracking their mobile phones and managed to find both of their backpacks – but they found no trace of Aziz.

Friends and family described Aziz and Samuel as experienced hikers and climbers who have faced harsh conditions before.

Speaking soon after Samuel’s body was found, his friend and business partner Spencer Jones paid tribute, saying: ‘To say I am devastated would be an understatement, and I have no words to fully describe how I am feeling at the moment.

‘The search is ongoing for our good friend Aziz Ziriat, so for now, I want to focus on Sam.

‘He was an amazing friend of 23 years, ever since our school days.

‘He was probably the most knowledgeable person I have ever known, and building the business with him has been an incredible journey.’

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