Rescuers are searching for a journalist who went missing on a hike in the remote Folgefonna national park, home to one of Norway’s largest glaciers.
Alec Luhn, 38, was last seen on 31 July - the same day he left the park, which stretches 545 square kilometres in western Norway.
Mr Luhn spoke to a French couple who gave him a lift to the glacier on 31 July and believe he may have described his plan to them for his route, a family friend told The Independent. They were in a camper van with their young son.
He had been on a family holiday before setting out on a solo backpacking trip last Thursday from the town of Odda, according to information shared by friends online.
A search and rescue operation was launched on Monday when Mr Luhn was reported missing after he missed his flight from Bergen, police said.
The friend said they are especially trying to find anyone who saw or spoke to Alec - particularly the French couple - to learn more about the routes he was taking.
Rescue dogs, red cross volunteers, special crews for alpine and glacier searches, drones and a Norwegian Air Force helicopter were all searching the area with police.
Folgefonna National Park, known for its dramatic glacier tongues, wild valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, has drawn adventurous tourists since 1833.
However, its remote and rugged terrain can turn perilous in harsh weather conditions.
The search was suspended on Tuesday afternoon due to severe weather, including heavy rain and high water levels in rivers, police told The Independent.
“The police are also actively working to gather information that can narrow the search, including interviewing witnesses in the mountains and investigating telecommunications operators and mobile phone manufacturer to map the movements of the missing person,” said Eirik Loftesnes, Head of Operations at Western Police District.
By Wednesday morning, the search resumed with the Alpine Rescue Group heading to Odda by helicopter. Red Cross personnel were also present.
The US-born journalist is believed to be fit, well-equipped and an experienced hiker, police said.
According to information shared by friends online, Mr Luhn planned to visit two DNT cabins - Holmaskjer and Breidablikk - before planning to end his journey at the Årsnes Kai bus station on Monday morning.
His wife, journalist Veronika Silchenko, made a public appeal on social media on Tuesday, urging anyone with information or who may have seen him to get in touch.
The UK-based reporter is a Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Network fellow and has had two Emmy nominations.
Formerly based in Moscow and Istanbul, he has reported for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and was a regular Guardian Russia correspondent from 2013 to 2017.
