A mass search for missing British teenager Jay Slater has commenced in Tenerife, with volunteers joining police in scouring a remote, rocky area. The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday 17 June, when he called a friend to say he had no water and only 1% battery on his phone.
Slater had been on holiday with friends and went to a rented house in a rural part of the island with people he met at a festival. The Guardia Civil urged volunteer associations, including firefighters and experts in rugged terrain, to participate in the coordinated search of the Masca gorge, which began on Saturday 29 June.
Police chief Angel Sanz Coronado described the terrain as steep, rocky, and full of ravines, making the search challenging. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed concern and confirmed consular assistance for the family. Slater's friend Brad Hargreaves recounted a video call before the disappearance, where he saw Slater slide down a hill but thought nothing of it at the time.
Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who has been searching for over a week, remains hopeful. A GoFundMe page has raised over £40,000 to support mountain rescue teams and cover accommodation and food expenses for the family.
