Melbourne family holds fears for son missing on Peru hiking trip
The family of Jordan Yap say the 30-year-old is missing after embarking on a solo hike in Peru. (Supplied)
In short:
A Melbourne man has been reported missing in Peru.
Jordan Yap, 30, last contacted his family before a multi-day hike in Peru's Huayhuash region, but missed a scheduled flight on Thursday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is assisting his family.
A Melbourne family hold grave fears for their son, who is missing after embarking on a solo hiking trip in a remote part of Peru.
Vinh Dao said he had not heard from his son Jordan Yap since the 30-year-old attempted to complete a hike in the remote Huayhuash region earlier this month.
"Before the 10-day hike in the Huayhuash region, he sent the last message to us saying that he's going to be off grid for the next 10 days," Mr Dao said.
Peru's remote Huayhuash mountain range is a popular destination for hikers. (Unsplash: Wolfgang Lutz)
Having left a hostel in the town of Huaraz on September 14, Mr Yap was due to check into a hotel on the 23rd before catching a flight from Lima to Cusco the following day.
"So he failed to check in at the hotel and he missed his flight as well, so that's when the panic and the concern kicked in," Mr Dao said.
Mr Dao said his son was an experienced hiker, but that the trip to Peru was one of his first solo trips.
The family has since contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in an attempt to liaise with local police in Peru, without success.
In a statement, a DFAT spokesperson said it was providing consular assistance to the family.
As they wait for a response from local authorities, the family has engaged a local private mountain rescue team to search for their son.
Mr Dao said the company assembled a search team last night at about 3am Melbourne time.
"They've completed the first day and they got some positive identification of Jordan on day two," he said.
"So that was a while ago … there were people who came across Jordan on the second day and that was it."
The rescue team plans to expand its search area over the coming days, with the 30-year-old's family now preparing to travel to Peru if necessary.
"We're very anxious. We just can't imagine that he's there, lost somewhere," Mr Dao said.
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