A hiker has been found alive after being lost for 13 days in the Australian mountains

A 23-year-old man who had lost his way in the Australian wilderness was found alive Wednesday by other hikers after surviving for nearly two weeks on two granola bars and water from rivers and streams, Australian authorities said.

The man, Hadi Nazri, was hiking in Kosciuszko National Park, about 240 miles south of Sydney, when he lost his way on December 26, a holiday called Boxing Day in Australia, according to a news release from New South Wales Police.

Two of Mr Nazri’s friends called police at around 8.45pm on 26 December after he failed to arrive at the campsite where they were expecting to meet him. They last saw him about six hours ago when he went to Hannells Spur Road alone. Police said about 400 people searched by air and land for Mr. Nazri over the course of 13 days.

Throughout the search, authorities remained hopeful that Mr. Nazri was alive, as he was an experienced hiker and was carrying camping supplies in the backpack he was carrying at the time of his disappearance. On New Year’s Eve, “garbage and walking poles” apparently belonging to Mr. Nazri were found near the Kosciuszko River. On Sunday, his lighter, camera, camera bag and the remains of a campfire he lit were discovered near the Gihi River.

The site has “incredibly dense bush and difficult ground conditions,” Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Gil Gibson said in a statement last week, adding that in some parts of the wilderness being searched, “rescuers can’t see their feet.” . “Because of the density of plants.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, A A group of hikers Superintendent Andrew Splett of the Riverina Police District told a news conference that Mr Nazri was found near Blue Lake, which is about six miles from the camp. Mr. Nazri called out to the group as they passed and told them that he was lost and thirsty. Hikers called emergency services, and Mr Nazri was then airlifted to the command center to be assessed by paramedics.

Police said Mr. Nazri did not suffer serious injuries and appeared to be in good health. He was then taken to hospital for further evaluation and rehydration.

“We never gave up hope of finding him,” Inspector Josh Broadfoot of the Riverina Police District said in a statement on Wednesday. “We are glad we can return him safely to his family.”

Mr. Nazri found two granola bars in a shack while he was missing but did not eat anything else, Superintendent Splett said. Police believe streams and rivers served as his only source of water during his disappearance, but Superintendent Split said they would conduct a full interview with Mr Nazri to find out more about how he survived.

Friends met Mr. Nazri after he was rescued. One of them, Muhammad Ilas, told a local company affiliated with… Australian Broadcasting Corporation He seemed “perfectly fine” because he had not eaten much in two weeks.

“I am in shock and full of happiness,” Mr. Ilas said. “It’s amazing.”