A body has been discovered during the search for a 28-year-old British tourist who disappeared in the mountains of Andorra, just a day after police and firefighters launched an extensive operation to find him.
The unnamed man had been staying at a hostel in Escaldes-Engordany, where he had booked a three-night stay.
He was last seen in the early hours of Sunday. When he failed to return to the property by Wednesday morning, hostel staff alerted authorities.
His disappearance was considered particularly concerning because he had reportedly left his backpack, travel documents and other belongings behind at the accommodation.
He also failed to board a bus he had booked for midday Tuesday.
Body discovered near Tristaina Lakes
Andorran police confirmed on Thursday that a body had been recovered in the Tristaina area, a mountainous region known for its dramatic scenery and high-altitude lakes.
The Fire Brigade located the body around midday while taking part in the ongoing search.
Police said officers from Public Security, the Judicial Police and Criminal Investigation, as well as International Cooperation, became involved after the alert was raised.
Firefighters also assisted in the search as authorities attempted to reconstruct the route the missing man may have taken.
However, officials have not yet confirmed that the body belongs to the British tourist.
Police said they would now identify the deceased and establish whether it is the man who had been missing since Wednesday.
A member of the public alerted the Rescue Service around noon after apparently seeing what appeared to be a deceased person in the area.
Helicopter and drone used in search
The search operation involved multiple emergency services and initially concentrated on the area around the hostel and a nearby river.
Rescue teams also deployed a helicopter and drone to search the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Local reports published following the man’s disappearance had indicated that he had reduced mobility on the right side of his body, adding another concern for rescuers trying to determine where he may have travelled.
Investigators were also working to establish his possible movements after he left the hostel.
Tristaina Lakes are popular with hikers
The Tristaina Lakes are a group of high-altitude glacial lakes in the Ordino parish of Andorra, close to the French border.
The area is known for its scenic circular hiking route and is among the region’s popular trekking destinations.
The discovery comes after another recent mountain tragedy involving a young hiker in Europe.
A 19-year-old hiker died after plunging around 650ft from a mountain in Germany and subsequently disappearing. His body was eventually found on the north face of Fuderheuberg in July following an extensive search.
In the Andorra case, authorities are continuing the identification process before confirming whether the body found in the Tristaina area is that of the missing British tourist.
