In brief
Alec Luhn, a seasoned journalist, has been missing for five days in a remote section of Norway following a solo hike.
Rescue operations are ongoing in Folgefonna National Park, Norway, as search teams actively look for Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old American journalist who has not been heard from since last Thursday. The search, hampered by severe weather conditions, began late Monday night after his wife, Veronika Silchenko, reported him missing when he failed to return home after his planned hiking trip.Luhn was last in contact at 3:24 p.m. local time, providing his itinerary before embarking on a solo hike from Odda into the scenic yet rugged Folgefonna National Park. The area is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, particularly its central glacier, which attracts numerous seasoned hikers. According to Silchenko, Luhn often hikes alone and she anticipated some delay in communication due to the park's limited phone service. However, after several days without contact, concern grew, prompting her to alert local authorities.Ingeborg Thorsland, a spokeswoman for the Norwegian Red Cross, reported that search crews are utilizing a combination of canine units, drones, and mountaineers to locate Luhn. Unfortunately, adverse weather, characterized by storms, has limited aerial search efforts, as police helicopters can’t fly in such conditions. Oystein Torsnes, a police chief in nearby Hardanger, expressed the difficulties posed by both the weather and the challenging terrain.Silchenko has been anxiously awaiting news and described her turmoil, saying, “I just really want him back. I can’t sleep or eat properly. It’s very hard not to know anything.” Luhn is no stranger to difficult environments; his journalism has taken him from oil fields in Texas to drought-affected Somalia and even to Arctic research ships. His work has been featured in significant publications, including The Guardian and Scientific American, showcasing his commitment to uncovering critical global stories.
