In brief
The search for Alec Luhn continues amid challenging weather conditions, as friends and family hope for his safe return.
Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old American journalist, has been missing since last Thursday after he set out for a solo hike in Norway's Folgefonna National Park. Rescue efforts are actively underway as search teams combat inclement weather, which is hampering their ability to utilize helicopters. "The conditions are difficult, both from the storm and the challenging terrain," noted Oystein Torsnes, a police chief in the nearby Hardanger region.Luhn was last in contact on Thursday afternoon with his wife, Veronika Silchenko, who indicated that he had sent her his hiking route via text message. Ms. Silchenko described her husband as an experienced hiker who has ventured into the wilderness alone before. The couple had been visiting relatives in Norway, and while Ms. Silchenko returned home to London on Thursday, Luhn chose to continue his adventure into the national park, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and large glacier.Concerns for Luhn's safety intensified when he failed to board his flight back to London on Monday. Realizing something was amiss, Ms. Silchenko contacted Norwegian authorities, prompting the late-night search efforts to commence. "I just want him back," she expressed emotionally during an interview. "It's agonizing not knowing what happened to him."Search teams are employing various methods, including the use of dogs and drones, but the adverse conditions have so far delayed significant progress. As they hope to locate the missing journalist, friends and family await news on his whereabouts, expressing concern and wishing for his swift and safe return. Luhn's resilience is backed by a rich history of reporting from rugged and remote settings, with articles published in prominent outlets like The Guardian and Scientific American.
