By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 11th June 2026) — Rescue officials involved in the search for missing hiker 33-year-old Wang Zuyan — who was found deceased — have revealed the challenge they faced in starting the operation with virtually no information about where the visitor might have been on Mount Liamuiga. Deputy Fire Chief Timothy Martin informed on the Fire and Rescue Services’ ‘Fire Talk’ programme on Tuesday 9th June 2026 that search teams mobilised with a report that a man had entered the volcano trail alone and failed to return. Zuyan was reported missing on Wednesday 27th May and his body was discovered on Monday 1st June. Police say following an autopsy conducted on 9th June, it was determined that he “died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from a significant height.”
“Sadly we encountered a number of difficulties on this search. In past, we would have a general idea in terms of where someone is located so we have a specific area to start the search. This time around it was totally different — we had no clue whatsoever as to where to start to look for the individual. All we had was the fact that the person went on the volcano trail and upon the taxi operator who dropped him off came back to check on him, he wasn’t around,” Martin said. GIS specialist Ayodele DeCosta of the Department of Physical Planning was brought onto the team to develop a more systematic search strategy, developing a grid system along and around the volcano trail so when the guys went up they would communicate back to base camp which grid sections had been covered. The breakthrough came after tour guide and hiker Janeel Boon posed a critical question about where a person might go if they deviated from the established route. Searchers thereafter followed another trail where signs of recent human activity were observed, and the following day located Wang, unfortunately deceased. Throughout the discussion, rescue officials repeatedly stressed: “Make sure that they have a guide, someone who knows the terrain. You got to make sure that this must be paramount: safety.”