In brief
The journalist was last in contact with his wife five days ago, leading to heightened concern for his safety.
Rescue operations were actively underway on Tuesday for Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old American journalist who has not been heard from since Thursday during a solo hiking trip in Norway's Folgefonna National Park. The challenging conditions, exacerbated by a storm, have complicated search efforts, with authorities employing dogs, drones, and skilled climbers in an urgent pursuit to locate him.According to Ingeborg Thorsland, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Red Cross, the search has been hampered by bad weather. Police chief Oystein Torsnes noted that the storm has prevented the use of helicopters, creating difficult terrain for rescuers. Their efforts will continue until at least 10 p.m. local time, as they diligently look for Luhn.Mr. Luhn's wife, Veronika Silchenko, revealed that he last contacted her Thursday afternoon at 3:24 p.m., sharing his hiking itinerary. Described as an experienced hiker, he was exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Folgefonna National Park, known for its impressive glacier. The couple had been visiting family in Norway when Luhn decided to embark on this solo trekking adventure.Silchenko expressed growing concern by Sunday when she hadn't heard from him, leading her to notify Norwegian authorities after he missed his scheduled return flight on Monday. The search officially commenced late that evening, continuing past midnight and resuming at dawn."I just really want him back," she stated, revealing her emotional distress over his absence. "I can’t sleep or eat properly. It’s very hard not to know anything." With experience navigating challenging environments from his reporting on global issues—including oil fields in Texas and drought-affected areas in Somalia—Mr. Luhn is accustomed to adversity. His work has been featured in prominent outlets such as The Guardian, The Atlantic, Scientific American, and Vice News.
