**Worry Grows as British Hiker Vanishes in Italian Alps: Search Intensifies After Ominous Final Message**
An urgent search is under way in northern Italy for Matthew Hall, a 33-year-old British hiker from Hull, whose disappearance has left friends and family deeply concerned. Hall, an experienced solo traveller, was last seen setting off from his accommodation in the Alpine town of Chiavenna on 9 July. He had been due to return to the UK on 12 July but failed to board his flight, sparking fears for his wellbeing.
The anxiety surrounding his disappearance was heightened when a final, unsettling text message emerged. Sent to a friend just prior to Hall’s vanishing, the message read: “I lost the path and stopped to rest.” This brief communication has become the focus of rescue teams, as it suggests he may have become disoriented or stranded somewhere on the challenging mountain trails.
Initial suspicions were raised by staff at Hall’s hotel, B&B Ploncher, who noticed that he had not attended breakfast over several days. At first, they assumed he had simply set out early each day to make the most of his hiking trip. The real concern came when he failed to check out as planned. Staff who entered his room discovered most of his personal belongings still there, but noted his backpack was missing – indicating he had set off prepared for a long walk.
Back in the UK, his mother, Sara Foster, 62, described the uncertainty as “living someone else’s nightmare”. She has been overwhelmed by the level of support received from both Matthew’s friends and the wider community. Several of Hall’s friends have already travelled to Italy to join local search efforts, and his Hull-based employer, Quickline Communications, has sent six staff members to lend their support.
Authorities in Italy, including the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Alpine Rescue team, have now launched a full-scale search operation. Efforts have focused on the possible routes Matthew may have taken after leaving Chiavenna, with police considering whether he attempted trails towards Savogno or Dasile from Borgonuovo, or perhaps set out towards Pianazzola, Daloo, or Lagunch. A photograph Matthew sent to a friend shortly before he disappeared, depicting a mountain cross, has provided search teams with a crucial clue to help pinpoint his last known location.
Matthew Hall is described as around 178cm (5ft 8in) tall, of medium build, with brown hair. He was last seen carrying a black backpack, though what he was wearing at the time remains uncertain. Officials have encouraged anyone with information that might assist the search to contact authorities as soon as possible.
Speaking about the continuing search, Sara Foster said: “The way his friends have leapt into action is unbelievable – I didn’t know them all before, but I do now. It’s comforting to know how well-loved Matthew is.” She added that a renewed effort was under way, based on the identification of the cross seen in his last photograph, giving rescuers a more targeted location to investigate.
Hall’s family and supporters remain hopeful due to his extensive travel experience and his reputation as a seasoned hiker who is both fit and resourceful. Nevertheless, the days without news are a source of agony for those waiting at home. “We just need to find him and bring him home to safety,” Foster emphasised. The Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support to Hall’s family, stating: “We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Italy.”
As the search operation enters its next phase, attention continues to centre on the Chiavenna region, with volunteers and professionals alike combing the rugged terrain. The outpouring of support highlights the communal spirit that emergencies like this so often reveal, offering a sliver of hope as everyone involved anxiously awaits news of Matthew Hall.