Two bodies have been found in the Eryri mountain range (Snowdonia) during a search for two missing men, North Wales Police have said.
Concerns were raised to police over the welfare of the men, aged 19 and 20, on Wednesday.
Crews from Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Mountain Rescue Service, SARDA and HM Coastguard were deployed and carried out extensive searches on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
North Wales Police said in a statement: “Tragically, the bodies of the two men were located and recovered as part of these co-ordinated search efforts.
“Both have now been formally identified, and their families have been informed.”
Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, said that he would like to extend his “most heartfelt condolences” to the families and loved ones of the two men.
He said: “The team were tasked by North Wales Police and launched an extensive multi-agency operation in full winter conditions.
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“Volunteers searched across challenging mountain terrain in snow and ice, working long hours through the night in difficult weather in an effort to locate the pair as quickly as possible.
“Despite the determined and sustained commitment of everyone involved, we are deeply saddened that, despite all efforts, the outcome was not what we had hoped for.
In Scotland, police officers have launched efforts to find a climber who failed to return from a planned hike on Ben Nevis.
Brian Mcgillicuddy, 64, was reported missing on Thursday, having last been seen at 4am on Glasdrum Road in Fort William.
Police Scotland believe the hiker intended to walk up to the Charles Inglis Clark Hut on the north face of Ben Nevis, which is typically used by mountaineers as a base camp.
Sergeant Paige Macdonald said: “Brian is an experienced hill walker, but he did not return from his planned hike and has not been heard from since.”
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