A 23-year-old man who went missing while hiking in the Australian desert was found alive by other hikers Wednesday after living on two granola bars and water from rivers and streams for nearly two weeks, authorities said.
Hadi Nazari went missing on Boxing Day in Australia on December 26 while hiking in Kosciuszko National Park, about 240 miles south of Sydney, New South Wales police said.
Two of Mr. Nazari's friends called the police at around 8:45 p.m. on December 26 when he failed to arrive at the camp where they expected to meet him. They had last seen him about six hours earlier when he was alone on the Hannels Spur trail. According to the police, about 400 people searched for Mr. Nazari by air and land for 13 days.
During the search, authorities hoped Mr. Nazari was alive because he is an experienced hiker and had camping equipment in his backpack when he went missing. On New Year's Eve, “garbage and walking poles” apparently belonging to Mr. Nazari were found near the Kościuszko River. His lighter, camera, camera bag and remains of a bonfire were found near the Geehi River on Sunday.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said in a statement last week that the site had “incredibly dense bush and difficult conditions on the ground”, adding that in some parts of the desert, rescuers were “unable to see their feet” due to dense vegetation.
About 15:15 on Wednesday, a infantry group Riverina Police District Commander Andrew Spliet told a news conference that Mr Nazari was found near Blue Lake, about six miles from the camp. As Mr. Nazari passed by, he called out to the group and announced that he was lost and thirsty. The marchers called emergency services and Mr Nazari was then airlifted to the command post to be assessed by paramedics.
Mr. Nazari was not seriously injured and is in good health, police said. He was then taken to the hospital for further examination 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 delighted to be able to return him safely to his family.”
Superintendent Spliet said Mr Nazari found two granola bars in the hut when he went missing, but did not eat anything else. Police believe creeks and rivers were his only source of water when he went missing, but Superintendent Spliet said they would be interviewing Mr Nazari fully to find out more about how he survived.
After Mr. Nazari was rescued, his friends met him. One of them, Mohammad Iylas, told the local branch Australian Broadcasting Corporation he seemed “perfectly fine” as he hadn't eaten much in two weeks.
“I am kind of shocked and happy,” said teacher Iylas. “It's amazing.”