Dutch family missing in mountains of Sardinia, Italy

Authorities on the Italian island of Sardinia were actively looking for a Dutch family that went missing on a hike near their holiday rental. A search and rescue mission for the father, mother and children of ages two and six months began at 10 p.m. Monday night.

The family did not answer their mobile phone, the incident command office told local media outlet Alguer.

Investigators were focused near Oliena at the Supramonte, a collection of highlands and mountains, L’Unione Sarda reported on Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters and police are involved in the search.

“The most likely scenario is that the family got into trouble, and since then cannot find the way back,” a fire department representative told RTL Nieuws.

Emergency services were notified on Monday by an area resident who noticed the family’s car parked at the same spot near the Lanaittu valley for several consecutive days. The car, a Volkswagen Polo, was rented in Alghero, a two-hour drive west of Oliena.

The witness said she saw the family prepare for a hike into the area on Saturday, La Nuova added.

However, officials speaking to L’Unione Sarda stressed that though their whereabouts are not known, the family is not necessarily in danger. The search will continue until more details emerge.