Family of Brit hiker missing in Italian mountains ‘refuse to give up hope’ after body of pal found ‘buried under snow’
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THE family of a missing British hiker are determined to continue their search despite the body of a pal he vanished with being found. Aziz Ziriat, 36, went missing alongside Samuel Harris, 35, in the Italian Dolomites on New Year's Day with rescue teams yet to find any trace of Ziriat's whereabouts.
![[Two men with large backpacks stand on a mountain overlooking a lake.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/f1324751-98be-45aa-b486-219668f699c9.jpg?strip=all&w=590)
A desperate hunt for the London friends was ignited after they failed to get on their flight home on January 6, and they had stopped answering their phones. The first two days of the frantic search were hampered by heavy snowfall, fog, and avalanche warnings.
![[Aziz Ziriat holding a yo-yo themed card.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/missing-persons-aziz-ziriat-member-962175889_3a59e1.jpg?strip=all&w=703)
Rescue crews revealed they followed the hikers' last phone recordings which led them to a body, later discovered to belong to Harris, on Wednesday. Officials confirmed at the time that the families of both men had been informed. Ziriat's mobile phone, card and glasses were all discovered close to Harris' body but no sign of him was found.
![[Rescue team ascending snowy slope.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_086b55.jpeg?strip=all&w=960)
The shocking news left Ziriat's family "devastated" but they defiantly vowed to keep up the hunt until they had more answers. His heartbroken family released a statement this week saying: "We have been devastated by the loss of our beloved Aziz. "Our appreciation for the co-ordinated work and expertise of the Alpine Rescue, emergency services and volunteers in Italy is immeasurable.
![[Close-up of a man with a beard.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_fbc095.jpeg?strip=all&w=614)
"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.
