The body of an Irish man reported missing while travelling in Switzerland has been recovered from a river following a two-day search.
Justin Flannery, 26, from Bunninadden in Co Sligo, was last seen on Friday, May 12, in Lauterbrunnen, a village in the Swiss Alps around 66 kilometres south of Bern.
On Monday, Swiss police confirmed that the body of an 'Irish tourist' had been discovered yesterday evening in the Lütschine river, near Zweilütschinen, Buzz.ie reports.
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After Flannery was reported missing on Saturday evening, an “extensive search” involving mountain specialists, search dogs and a maritime crew was launched.
The Irish man's family had already flown out to Switzerland to assist in the search before his body was recovered.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Flannery's twin, Jonathan, to raise funds to search for the body of the 26-year-old and to support his transfer home. It has already raised over €60,000.
According to RTE, local police are providing support to the man's relatives and an investigation by the Regional Public Prosecutor's Office is under way in order to "clarify the events".
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to the Flannery family.
Bern Canton’s police force said in a statement Tuesday: "On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at around 4:45 p.m., the Bern cantonal police received a report that a man was missing in Lauterbrunnen. Extensive search measures were immediately initiated for him."
"Mountain specialists and other employees of the Bern canton police were deployed. A search dog was also brought in. Due to indications that the missing person could be in the Lütschine, employees of the maritime police were also called out. Third parties also took part in the search on the following days.
"On Monday evening, May 15, 2023, third parties were finally able to locate the missing person in the Weisse Lütschine, at the level of the Isenfluh junction, near Zweilütschinen (Gündlischwand municipality). The maritime police rescued the man from the water and were only able to determine his death. The Care Team of the Canton of Berne was deployed to look after the relatives.
"The deceased 26-year-old is an Irish tourist. Investigations to clarify the events were started under the direction of the regional public prosecutor Oberland."
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