Spanish authorities in Tenerife have delivered a major update in the intensifying search for Jay Slater, the 19-year-old British teenager who vanished without a trace in the Canary Islands.
The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday morning when he made a desperate phone call to a friend, revealing he was lost, dehydrated, and had just one percent battery remaining on his mobile phone. He had been attending a music festival on the island prior to his disappearance.
A Race Against Time in Rugged Terrain
The massive search operation, which includes mountain rescue experts, sniffer dogs, and a police helicopter, has been relentlessly scouring the treacherous Teno Rural Park in north-west Tenerife. This area, known for its steep ravines and rugged mountainous terrain, presents immense challenges for search teams.
In their latest statement, the Guardia Civil confirmed that all lines of investigation remain open. A spokesperson emphasised: "The search operation has now been extended and will continue. We are doing everything we can to locate Jay."
Family's Agonising Wait
Jay's family, including his mother Debbie Duncan who has flown out to Tenerife, are enduring an agonising wait for news. Ms. Duncan has made a heartfelt public appeal, stating, "He is just a normal lad who is out here with his friends for a holiday. We just want him home."
Friends of the missing teenager have described him as a "good lad" who wouldn't simply wander off, intensifying concerns for his welfare. The last known location of his phone was in the remote village of Masca, sparking the focused search in that region.
As the operation enters another day, the international community watches and hopes for a breakthrough in the case of the missing young Briton.
