Authorities in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Kitts and Nevis have announced the discovery of a Chinese cruise ship passenger’s body, nearly a week after he went missing.
Police confirmed on Monday that search crews located 33-year-old Wang Zyuan.
He disappeared on May 27 while hiking alone on St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga trail. Zyuan had called 911 at approximately 2:00 p.m. to report being lost, but contact was subsequently lost.
Police did not provide other details, including cause of death, saying only that the investigation is ongoing.
According to local station WINN FM 98.9, Zyuan was hiking without a professional guide when he went missing. He was last seen dressed in black clothing and red shoes before heading onto the trail.
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) said authorities quickly launched a joint search-and-rescue effort involving the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Police said that cell tower information provided by the telecommunications operator was used to help narrow the search. Volunteers and crews with multiple agencies scoured the area for days before finding his body.
The trail is located on the dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano, the highest peak on St. Kitts at nearly 3,800 feet (1,200 meters).
A Caribbean cruise ship company that advertises the trail on its website warned it is an extremely strenuous hike and that the trail can be muddy or slippery.
The island’s rainforest trails have seen a number of rescue incidents involving visitors over the years.
In February 2006, authorities rescued an American tourist, Linda Campbell, after she became stranded on the mountain. More recently, in November 2019, Canadian hiker Jayme Houle, then 21, prompted a large-scale search after suffering an injury while hiking alone.
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