Urgent search and rescue operation for two Britons missing in the Dolomites
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Samuel Harris, 35, and Aziz Ziriat, 36, from London, were last heard from on 1 January. An urgent search and rescue operation is underway for two British men who have gone missing on a hiking trip in the Dolomites. Samuel Harris, 35, and Aziz Ziriat, 36, from London, were last heard from on 1 January after sending messages home from the mountainous Trentino region in northern Italy.
![[Tione Di Trento in Italy]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/07/15/iStock-2156065425.jpg)
On New Year’s Day, Mr Ziriat sent his girlfriend videos of the hut they were staying at, called Casina Dosson, and there was no contact after that. Friends and family grew worried when the pair did not check in for their flight, which arrived in London on Monday night.
![[Samuel Harris, 35, and Aziz Ziriat, 36]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/07/15/sam-aziz-split.jpg)
Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue, Carabinieri and the local fire brigade are all involved in the search but due to recent snowfall teams say they are having difficulty reaching the area. Joseph Sheppard, a close friend of both Mr Ziriat and Mr Harris, was supposed to join them on their hike but was unable to in the end due to an injury. He last heard from them just before Christmas when he messaged to wish them a good trip.
Mr Sheppard said he expected that they wouldn’t be in regular contact as there wouldn’t be much signal and their phone batteries would die, but his worries intensified when he found out they didn’t make their flight back home. He told The Independent: “They are the two loveliest people you’d ever meet in your life. They are warm people and everyone gravitates towards them – they both know how to make everyone feel special.
