
Search for British hiker who has been missing for five days in Italian Alps
Matthew Hall, 33, disappeared last Wednesday, while walking in northern Italy.
He has so far not been contactable, but the last message he sent has been released.
Hall texted a photo of himself to a friend at 1.20pm that day, when he had stopped to rest at Alpe Daloo, above Chiavenna, according to a local community group on Facebook.
He was wearing a beige T-shirt and carrying a black backpack when he went missing.
Hall's last known sighting was on 7 July at the 'All Right' pub, where he was reportedly seen by staff.
The Brit was due to check out of the B&B he was staying in on 11 July, but when he did not return, the B&B's owners contacted the police.
He asked hotel staff for directions to hikes in the area upon his arrival, reported the Mail Online.
The staff pointed him towards several scenic hiking routes.
Hall reportedly did not collect his breakfast at the B&B for several days but the hotel owners assumed he had left early in the morning to hike. More Trending
He has not contacted family or friends since sending the text, according to the Facebook post.
Hall, approximately 1.78 metres tall with brown hair, was due to fly home to the UK on Saturday, 13 July.
A missing person report has been filed with both Italian and UK authorities.
The search operation began on 13 July and includes the Carabinieri as well as the Alpine Rescue team.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Times
37 minutes ago
- Times
Search for British hiker missing for five days in Italian Alps
A search is under way in the Italian Alps for a British hiker who has been missing for five days after texting a friend that he was lost. Matthew Hall, a telecoms engineer from Hull, was trekking alone near Chiavenna, north of Lake Como and close to the Swiss border, when he sent his last known message saying that he had lost his trail. 'We are concerned because there are plenty of dangerous gullies and ravines in that area,' said one of the 20 police rescuers and volunteers now combing the area, assisted by a helicopter. Hall, 33, asked for local directions at the bed and breakfast he was staying at in Chiavenna at 10am on July 8 and was not seen again by staff, but his absence was only reported to local police by the owner on Saturday, four days later, after he failed to show up to check out on Friday.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Cheeky 48-hour holidays to Europe's best cities, beach towns and islands this summer from £167
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Room-only, with flights from Southampton on August 1. See Milan from £189pp There's a lovely courtyard at the 4H Devero Hotel & Spa with a large pool and restaurant terrace — perfect for a little dip after discovering the delights of this chic Italian city. Set between Milan and Bergamo, you could even head to the delights of Lake Como. Hotel is B&B. Flights from Liverpool on August 22. See Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Prague from £245pp The Chevron Design Hotel is perfect for a quick getaway, just a short walk from the Vltava River and vibrant Andel area. The area is known for its bustling restaurants and cafes, and a tram ride away you can visit the castle and historic Lesser Town. Room-only, with flights from Luton on August 1. Find out more and book at Krakow from £283pp The Belle Epoque Residence offers stylish studios and apartments close to the historic Old Town. Just ten minutes' walk brings you to the Main Market Square, a medieval treasure and one of the biggest in Europe, while the lush greenery of Planty Park which encircles the Old Town is also a stone's throw away. Room only. Flights from Heathrow on July 18, hand luggage only. Details from Budapest from £289pp Enjoy the beauty of the city from the water with The Grand Jules Boat Hotel, moored on the Danube River on the Buda side near Margaret Bridge. You'll have easy access to attractions both sides of the river and are within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Hotel is B&B. Flights from Birmingham on August 15 with hand luggage only. See Athens from £435pp Cool off after a day's sightseeing at the Skylark, Aluma Hotel & Resorts rooftop pool and bar. This contemporary, chic 4H hotel is right in the centre of the action on Omonoia Square, and is close to the metro. Major archaeological sites are within easy reach. Hotel is B&B. Flights from Gatwick on August 8. 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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Missing Brit sent chilling final text to friend before vanishing on hike
Matthew Hall, 33, has not been seen since leaving his accommodation in Chiavenna in the Alps to go for a hike - he told a friend that he had 'lost the path' during the walk The chilling final text sent by a British hiker before he went missing in Italy has been revealed. Matthew Hall, 33, has not been seen since July 9, when he set off from his hotel in Chiavenna in the Alps to go for a hike. He was supposed to fly home on Saturday but is yet to make contact, leaving his loved ones at home living what they describe as a "nightmare". Attempts to get in touch with him have so far proved unsuccessful. Now, his friend has shared the final message he received from him before his disappearance - and it appears to suggest that he had taken a wrong turn during the hike. He wrote: "I lost the path and stopped to rest". The alarm was raised by hotel's owners after he did not collect his breakfast for several days, with them initially believing he was likely leaving for early morning hikes. When he failed to show up for check-out, the owners discovered his belongings were untouched, and his backpack was not in his room. Mum Sara Foster, 62, has been anxiously waiting at home for updates from the Italian authorities - says she has been 'blown sideways' by the support she has received from Matthew's friends and the wider public. A group of his pals have flown over to join the search teams, who have spent time analysing the last photo he sent to try and pin down its exact location. Matthew's employers, Quickline Communcations in Hull, are also sending six staff members out to join the mother, who works for elderly care firm Home Instead, said: 'I feel like I'm living someone else's nightmare but I've just been blown sideways by all of his friends. I didn't know them all but I do now. "The way that they have just leapt into action has been unbelievable, it really has. I obviously realise that he's very loved. I got a message from the search team this morning – there are apparently five teams who are out looking for him. "They were just heading out after pin pointing from a photo he sent to a friend on Tuesday afternoon, and it was a picture of a cross. There's a lot of crosses but they know which one it is, so that is their starting point and we're in a better place today, we're not working blind. 'I don't know how many people are in each team but I do know that five of Matthew's friends have flown out and are there now having arrived last night, so they are going to help. And then Quickline, where Matthew works, are sending six of their staff. And then with Facebook, people are just joining in. 'I am so grateful to everyone, it's unbelievable. That's given us some hope – and he's fit, he's resourceful, so that's what's keeping me positive. "He's well travelled, and a solo traveller. He's a walker and has all the gear. We just need to find him and bring him home to safety." In an appeal published in Italian media, Matthew is described as approximately 178cm (5ft 8in) tall, of medium build, with brown hair. He had a black backpack, though it is not known what he was wearing on the day he disappeared. The 33-year-old had been staying at B&B Ploncher in Chiavenna, and police believe he may have travelled towards Savogno or Dasile from the village of Borgonuovo, or towards Pianazzola, Daloo, or Lagunch from the town he was staying in. A missing persons report has been filed in Italy, with the search involving the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Alpine Rescue team. Anyone with any knowledge about his whereabouts is urged to come forward. A Foreign Office spokesperson told the Mirror: 'We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Italy.'