The body of a British-Irish trekker who went missing in northern Pakistan was recovered on Tuesday following a three-day search operation. Alexander Harris, 30, had disappeared on Saturday while descending Musa Ka Musalla, a 4,000-meter peak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Harris was hiking with a fellow Briton, Alun Cledwyn, when the two became separated during their descent. Cledwyn reached their accommodation without Harris, prompting concern and the subsequent alert to authorities.

Local police, rescue workers, and volunteers conducted an extensive search for three days before locating Harris’s body at Pracha Khatak, a point partway down the mountain, according to Sohail Qureshi, a spokesman for Mansehra police. Qureshi noted that adverse weather conditions, including fog and rain, may have contributed to Harris losing his way.

Residents involved in the search described the terrain as challenging, made even more difficult by recent rainfall. Ejaz Ali, a local participant in the rescue efforts, highlighted the complexity of the route and the impact of weather on the operation.

Harris resided in Islamabad and was employed by Adam Smith International, a global advisory consultancy. The company expressed deep sorrow over his death, describing him as a “much-loved member” of their team who was passionate about Pakistan, its people, and nature. They also noted that Harris had learned Urdu during his stay.

In statements, Adam Smith International extended gratitude to the hundreds of individuals and organisations that contributed to the search, including local residents, volunteers, the police, rescue teams, the forest department, members of Harris’s trail running community, and the government of Pakistan.

Efforts to recover Harris’s body underscored the risks associated with trekking in the region’s rugged terrain, particularly under adverse weather conditions. Authorities have not yet released further details on the circumstances surrounding his death.