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.
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.
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“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 mount 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.