Overview

• Eli Sweeting, a 25-year-old hiker from Bristol, has been missing since May 4 after a solo trek on Mitre Peak in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
• Search efforts have included helicopters, search dogs, volunteers, and local residents, with family members also traveling to assist.
• Operations briefly focused on a descent route where a light was spotted earlier in the week, but no confirmed traces of Sweeting have been found.
• Rugged terrain and dense vegetation have significantly slowed progress, with search teams sometimes covering only 250 meters per hour.
• As of May 12, New Zealand Police have paused the search to review strategies, emphasizing safety in the hazardous conditions, while remaining ready to resume if new leads emerge.