WHERE IS GEORGE?
He vanished near the fortress popularly dubbed Dracula’s Castle
Heartbreak as search for missing Brit hiker, 18, who vanished near Dracula’s Castle is called off in snowstorm
THE search for a missing British teenager has been suspended due to increasing avalanche risks.
Rescuers have been looking for 18-year-old George Smyth for nearly two weeks after he disappeared on a solo hiking trip in Romania.
George Smyth went missing after setting out on a solo hike in RomaniaCredit: @SalvamontBrasov/newsX/NF
A search effort is currently underway for himCredit: Newsflash
George set off for a solo hike in the area near the fortress dubbed Dracula’s CastleCredit: Getty
The teen from Shropshire vanished without a trace after setting out alone between the ski resort of Poiana Brasov and the village of Bran in the Bucegi Mountains.
The resort – in central Romania – is located near the fortress that is often billed as Dracula’s Castle.
On Thursday evening, Sebastian Marinescu, director and coordinator of Salvamont Brasov made the announcement.
“This evening, the search operations were once again suspended,” he said.
“Unfortunately, no objects belonging to George were identified today, nor any other clues that might indicate a possible place where he could have taken shelter.
“The mountain rescuers from the Brașov County Salvamont Service — from Brașov, Râșnov, Predeal, and Victoria — have covered all areas that could be accessed safely, but without any findings that would allow the continuation of the search.
Marinescu said the conditions on the mountain had quickly deteriorated.
“The snow pack is unstable, and assessments indicate a level 4 avalanche risk, which makes it impossible to carry out operations without endangering the lives of the rescuers,” he said.
He continued, saying that snow exceeded two metres in “several areas of the valley”.
“Under these circumstances, digging and moving through exposed areas would represent an unacceptable risk for the intervention teams,” he said.
Marinescu stressed that despite the suspension and the lack of new signs beyond the discovery of George’s rucksack, the search for the missing teen would continue.
“We want to state with full clarity and responsibility that this case is not being abandoned,” he said.
“Salvamont Brasov never abandons an operation and never gives up on any missing person, regardless of nationality or the circumstances of the accident.
“All actions are approached with the same seriousness, and all necessary resources are allocated.”
He said the suspension of the search was temporary, and that it would continue once the weather conditions eased.
“Once the weather stabilizes and the snowpack is significantly reduced, the search will be resumed without delay,” Marinescu vowed.
The search for the missing teen has been suspended due to weather conditionsCredit: Newsflash
The large scale search has been ongoing for nearly two weeksCredit: Newsflash
He added the search was being aided by winter patrols, which would also continue when the area was safe, as well as technological leads, through phone data.
“If George’s phone is located or if conclusive elements are identified, we will move immediately to the exact coordinates to resume the search,” he said.
“At this time, it is impossible to clear and dig through all the snow in the Tiganesti Valley.”
Marinescu offered his thoughts and prayers to George’s family.
“We remain in constant contact with them, we understand their suffering, and we extend our deepest compassion,” he said.
“We would have wished to continue searching longer today, but the struggle against the weather and the mountain imposes limits that we cannot exceed without exposing other lives to real danger.
The last time he was heard from was in a call for help on November 23Credit: Newsflash
Rescuers have since found his rucksack, but not the teenCredit: Newsflash
“We remain fully committed and ready to resume operations as soon as conditions allow.”
The last time George was heard from was on November 23, when he rang Romania’s 112 emergency number.
His phone location was pinged at 6,890 feet, where he told the operator that he was exhausted, frozen, and disorientated.
Marinescu told local media that dispatchers instructed the teen to turn back on the same route towards Malăiești Valley.
From that point he would have reached the Malăiești Chalet for shelter, within an hour and a half.
Rescuers urged George to keep moving so he would avoid collapsing from exhaustion or hypothermia.
Night falls around 5pm at this time of year in Romania, raising concerns for George’s welfareCredit: Getty
The wide scale operation has been suspended due to avalanche risksCredit: Newsflash
Teams had made their way towards him on foot, beginning a journey that would normally take at least three hours in good conditions.
Marinescu has said rescue experts could still not understand why George appeared to have continued forwards into the mountains, especially as night fell.
During the winter months, the sun goes down at around 5pm.
Since the evening of his call for help and the following days, more than 50 mountain rescuers have searched endlessly.
Rescue efforts have been supported by a canine unit, drones, helicopters and RECCO detection technology.
The search turned up George’s rucksack, filled with his equipment.
All searchers have been called back from the mountain until the weather clearsCredit: Newsflash
Rescuers have said the search is not over, despite the latest road blockCredit: Newsflash
It was found in a high-altitude area, traced from his emergency call.
Since then, there has been no sign of the young man.
All rescuers have been pulled back from the mountain due to the avalanche risk, but officials are on standby to restart the hunt as soon as possible.
George’s parents have flown to Romania after locating his phone via a location app.
His distraught mum, Jo Smyth, described her son as a “smart, loving and adventurous young man”.
He had just turned 18 and was in his first year studying geology.
She said he was a strong, sporty traveller who loved the mountains and had kept the solo hiking trip secret so as not to worry his family.
“We are hoping and praying that he has survived somehow despite all the forecasts,” she said.
