About 50 specialist search operators from across the state have been deployed into rugged terrain today as the search continues for a bushwalker missing in Kosciusko National Park.
Police have been told Hadi Nazari, aged 23, was last seen by friends about 2.30pm on Thursday 26 December 2024, descending the Hannels Spur Trail, Geehi, between Khancoban and Thredbo, in the Kosciuszko National Park.
The three men were expected to meet up at the Geehi campground; however, when he failed to arrive, the two friends, aged 23 and 24, began to search for him.
Officers attached to the Riverina Police District were alerted about 8.45pm, and commenced patrols by vehicle and on foot, assisted by the SES.
On Friday 27 December 2024, a command post was established, and a multi-agency search commenced involving Goulburn Police Rescue, officers attached to Riverina Police District, assisted by National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, NSW Ambulance, VRA and PolAir.
Late on Tuesday 31 December 2024, rubbish and hiking poles, believed to belong to Hadi, were found near the Kosciusko River, which remains the focus area of the search.
During the ninth day of the multi-agency operation, 44 Alpine search-and-rescue trained specialists, including SES and VRA members, have been deployed to the operation.
Six Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit specialist police officers were winched by aircraft to enable faster entry into the rugged terrain.
Six specially-trained volunteers will camp overnight.
The operation has also utilised Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Westpac Surf Life Saving helicopters and a National Parks and Wildlife Service aircraft.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent, Jill Gibson, said the hot and humid conditions today (Saturday 4 January 2025), added to the degree of difficultly for searchers.
"Our searchers are well-resourced and are having their welfare taken care of during the operation," A/Supt Gibson said.
"There have now been more than 300 people searching across the nine days, all highly-skilled and trained.
"Our focus and efforts continues to be finding Hadi and returning him to his family," she said.
The search will continue tomorrow (Sunday 5 January 2025).
