UA solitary hike turned into a nightmare in the Matese mountains of Molise, where an 83-year-old retired headmaster has been missing since yesterday afternoon. The man, originally from the Benevento area but resident in the Ravenna area, had wandered off for a walk in the woods near the Gallinola hut, where he was celebrating his birthday with his family.
Since then, all trace of him has disappeared, sparking a race against time for rescue teams. The alarm was raised late yesterday afternoon, when family members, concerned about the old man's failure to return, contacted the authorities.
The man, described as a nature lover and accustomed to short walks, had said he wanted to explore the paths near the hut, located in one of the most suggestive but impervious areas of the massif. MateseHe had a cell phone with him, but the area, characterized by poor network coverage, made any contact impossible.
The search operation, coordinated by the Carabinieri of Bojano and the 118 operations center, began immediately and continued nonstop throughout the night. The Molise Alpine and Speleological Rescue deployed ground teams to search the surrounding trails and woods, supported by a canine unit specialized in molecular detection.
An aircraft, probably a drone, is flying over the area for aerial reconnaissance, while a tactical vehicle used as a mobile operations room with satellite connection acts as an on-site coordination centre. The Matese, with its wild reliefs and often rugged paths, represents a challenge for rescuers, especially considering the age of the 83-year-old and the night-time temperatures which can drop significantly at altitude.
Authorities are checking for any signals from the man's cell phone, hoping to locate him, but the lack of network coverage is complicating their efforts. The family, gathered in the Gallinola cabin, are living through hours of anguish, clinging to the hope of a happy ending.
The man, a respected figure in his community, had chosen the Matese to celebrate his birthday, drawn by the pristine beauty of these mountains. Now, that same nature seems to have swallowed him up, while the local community and rescuers are mobilizing relentlessly.
The search will continue with every means available, in the hope that the experience and tenacity of the teams will bring the 83-year-old back to his loved ones. Meanwhile, Molise holds its breath, united in a silent prayer for the return of the missing principal.
Article published by A. Carlino on August 12, 2025, at 14:56 PM
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