Rescue teams have initiated a new search for George Smyth, an 18-year-old British teenager who disappeared seven months ago while hiking solo in Romania's Bucegi Mountains. Smyth was last heard from in November when he contacted emergency services reporting exhaustion and hypothermia.
The latest search effort is concentrated in Valea Gigănesti, the area where Smyth was last believed to be. Conditions remain challenging due to significant snow accumulation, with depths reaching between two and three meters, and in some places exceeding three meters. Search teams are surveying and excavating areas of interest, including snowdrifts near rock formations, but have not yet found conclusive evidence.
Smyth, from Newport, Shropshire, embarked on his solo hiking trip with the intention of traveling from Poiana Brasov to the village of Bran, known for Bran Castle. His planned route involved long, steep trails through forested and alpine sections, areas known to be perilous, especially during late autumn.
He made a distress call to the 112 emergency line from a valley at an altitude of over 6,562 feet. At the time, his mother was able to track his phone and discovered his location. Rescuers located his backpack in the vicinity of his call, but no further trace of him was found during the initial extensive search operations. His mother flew to Romania to support the search efforts.
Mountain rescue service Salvamont Brasov reported that earlier searches were hindered by severe weather and deep snow. A prolonged winter has contributed to unseasonably high snow levels this year, complicating access to remote areas.
In January, Smyth's family stated they had come to terms with the possibility of his death, expressing hope that he would be found when conditions allowed. The search operations are expected to continue depending on weather and snow conditions in the mountains.