Some targeted search areas are covered in as much as 10 feet of snow
Credit: Salvamont Brasov Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- George Smyth was last known to be hiking in Romania’s Bucegi Mountains in November 2025
- Local rescue service Salvamont Brasov recently said that a new search operation for Smyth was started despite “difficult” weather conditions
- Some targeted search areas are covered with up to 10 feet of snow
Officials have resumed the search for a teenager who went missing while hiking alone in Romania last year.
George Smyth, 18, was last known to be hiking in the Bucegi Mountains on Nov. 23, 2025.
On June 25, local rescue service Salvamont Brasov said in a Facebook post that a new search operation for Smyth was initiated despite “difficult” weather conditions causing heavy snow accumulation in targeted areas.
Credit: Salvamont Brasov Facebook
Some targeted search areas are covered in as much as 10 feet of snow, the rescue service said. The search will proceed depending on conditions in the area.
Salvamont Brasov expressed hope that high temperatures will melt the snow, making it possible for crews to search areas that have been hard to access.
“Unfortunately, no other conclusive hints have emerged at this moment,” the rescue service said.
Back in April, Salvamont Brasov said in a Facebook post that they were “constantly monitoring the situation in the field and have not given up on this search operation.”
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Smyth had called Salvamont Brașov for help during his hike. The British college student was heading towards Bran Castle, which is a popular landmark known as the purported home of Dracula.
During his call, he “was disoriented, physically exhausted, and already showing signs of hypothermia,” a rescuer told the BBC in December 2025.
Credit: Salvamont Brasov
Rescuers found Smyth's backpack within hours of his call. The bag was found in the same area where the teen made his call, The Times previously reported.
His mother told Romanian TV at the time that he didn't tell his family about the trip, “so we would not worry about him,” per the BBC.
In January, Smyth's family released a statement stating that it is "cruel beyond belief that George is now lost to us."
"When the mountains that took him are ready to let go, George will be found, and we will bring him home to say goodbye," they said.
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