DFAT helps family of Cameron Twiss after disappearance in Albania

There are mounting fears for the safety of a missing Australian man who disappeared more than a month ago while hiking in southeastern Europe.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Albania.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” a DFAT spokesman told NewsWire this week.

Mr Twiss, 28, was last seen about 8am on October 13, walking the Valbona – Theth trail in northern Albania.

Search authorities found his passport and clothes at a hostel in nearby Shkoder after he was reported missing.

Kultura Hostel owner Arlind Shkembi, speaking with Adelaide Advertiser reporter Emily Olle in the country, said the Valbona to Theth hike was “so easy 70-year-olds do it”.

“The area is always filled with people from other countries,” he said.

“There are cabins that serve coffee or, if you get stuck at night there, they will give you blankets or something to warm up.”

Mr Shkembi added he believed Mr Twiss might have slipped from the path into more difficult terrain.

The Valbona to Theth hike, located in the Albanian Alps, is about 17km and takes about six to eight hours to complete.

Thousands of tourists and hikers descend on the Alps each year to take in the stunning landscape.

The Albanian and Kosovo Mountain Rescue Service has conducted searches for Mr Twiss, first reporting his disappearance to its social media channels.

“According to the information we have, Cameron’s plan was to walk Valbona – Theth, return to Shkodra, where he stayed in a hostel,” the rescue service posted to its social media on October 29.

“Travel documents and his other belongings are found in the hostel.”

The service adds the social media notification was “initiated” by Mr Twiss’s family.

In an update from November 2, the service said it had checked the trail alongside the State Police but had suspended the operation.

“Our members in co-ordination with the State Police checked today the trail that takes you from Valbona to Theth and the suspected areas where tourists encounter the most difficulties, but today’s search resulted in no sign of the person,” the service said.

“The search has been suspended to receive more information.

“We call once again that if anyone has information or has encountered a tourist along the trail to contact us or contact the relevant authorities.”

Mr Twiss comes from Adelaide and it is understand his family has travelled to Albania to search for him.