Authorities identified the missing man as Igor Holewiński. Police teams, including a specialized forest unit, are sweeping rugged areas in the island’s north and center, supported by drones.
Poland’s consul in Lisbon, Rafał Budyta, said five Portuguese security formations are engaged and that Polish diplomats remain in constant contact with local police. The search spans popular hiking routes as well as remote mountain sections.
Holewiński’s sister, Olga, told Portuguese media he set out alone on Sunday morning, November 2, likely after staying in São Vicente. He intended to head toward Pico Ruivo and reach Santana. The last phone signal came from near Levada dos Tornos and then stayed static for hours.
She added that a roughly 2.5-kilometer tunnel lies where the device last connected, which could explain a loss of coverage, though she noted the signal should have returned after leaving the tunnel.
Holewiński is about 200 cm tall, slim, blond, and wears glasses. He arrived on the island in late October with his girlfriend, who returned to Poland on Saturday.
Local media say the family has raised funds to support a specialized rescue team credited with finding 35 people in previous operations in Portugal.
In a separate case, authorities are also searching for a German woman missing in the island’s southeast. Media report that both operations cover marked trails and hard-to-reach mountain areas, amid recurring disappearances of young hikers on Madeira in recent years.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24, TVP Info