Jay Slater missing: Fireman says 'it's strange' as he provides new insight into search

A firefighter involved in the exhaustive search for British teenager Jay Slater, who has gone missing in the mountains, has expressed the difficulties faced by the teams. The 19-year-old hasn't been in contact since Monday (June 17) and extensive search operations are underway, including efforts from the Civil Guard, mountain rescue, and firefighters, over a wide 30-kilometre region.

Jay reportedly contacted his friend Lucy Mae before disappearing, explaining he was lost in the countryside with his phone battery critically low. Subsequent traces of his phone signal located him near Masca village.

Continuing the search into its sixth day on Saturday (June 22), Riccardo from the Brigada Forestal spoke to the Manchester Evening News about the treacherous terrain and substantial measures being taken to find Jay.

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He said: "It's very difficult to find people here, because of the ravines and the mountains... I've seen the case and about the missing boy on the internet... but the days are now passing by and it's increasingly strange that he hasn't appeared yet.

"The information we have is that Jay [and his friends] were going to a music festival, and afterwards, the last sign of him was around here in the Teno Rural Park. I don't know if he was walking, hiking.. I just don't know. That's where I lose the thread."

Looking out over the mountainous landscape, he sighed and added: "It's so strange." On Friday (June 21), Civil Defence search teams spoke of the specific rural areas where the efforts are being focused, all in the vicinity of the Parque Rural de Teno nature reserve, the area where Jay was reported missing.

They include a ravine around 100 metres below the rental property where Jay was last seen, as well as in mountains between Masca and Las Portelas.

A significant effort has been mobilised in response to the situation, with the Civil Guard, mountain rescuers, police drones, and helicopters all partaking in the search. On Friday, officers coordinating the mission at the base informed Manchester Evening News that the rugged search area comprises three separate ravines and spans approximately 30km.

Insight into the ongoing operation was provided by a team member, who disclosed that current efforts are focused on three sectors: the Masca Gorge, La Vica, and Las Portelas, along with adjacent regions close to Masca.

Previously, a representative from the Civil Defence search faction expressed a steadfast hope for Jay's survival, saying: "We still have hope that he's alive, up until the last moment when the last hope is lost. The truth is that we feel a bit frustrated because we can't find him. It's so big [here] that it's very difficult to search in such a steep area. But we're doing everything we can."