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Firefighter searching for missing Jay Slater in Tenerife says it's 'increasingly strange' he hasn't been found yet

Firefighter searching for missing Jay Slater in Tenerife says it's 'increasingly strange' he hasn't been found yet

The 19-year-old has now been missing in Tenerife for a week

A firefighter aiding in the search for Jay Slater has revealed he thinks its 'increasingly strange' the teenager hasn't been found.

Jay, 19, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, has been missing from the Spanish island for a week, with extensive searches taking place across the island.

The teenager had been attending a festival with friends the previous weekend, choosing to stay out with a group of people he'd just met on the Sunday evening.

It is understood the teenager travelled back to a remote Airbnb with the group before attempting to make his way home in the early hours of Monday (17 June) morning.

Jay Slater has been missing in Tenerife for a week. (Family Handout)
Jay Slater has been missing in Tenerife for a week. (Family Handout)

His last known location was the National Park of Teno.

As the search now enters its second week, one of the firefighters who is out combing the mountainous area in North West Tenerife has spoken out about the search, saying it was 'strange' that authorities have not been able to locate the teenager in the last seven days.

"It's very difficult to find people here, because of the ravines and the mountains," Ricardo, a firefighter from the Brigada Forestal, told the Manchester Evening News.

The search for Jay is currently focused around the rural area of Masca, with local police shifting their attention to a location near a 2,000ft ravine on Friday.

The search for Jay has entered the second week. (James Manning/PA Wire)
The search for Jay has entered the second week. (James Manning/PA Wire)

A report from The Mirror added that the search is also focused on the Masca Gorge, La Vica, and Las Portelas areas.

"I've seen the case and about the missing boy on the internet," Ricardo continued. "But the days are now passing by and it's increasingly strange that he hasn't appeared yet."

He added: "The information we have is that Jay [and his friends] were going to a music festival, and afterwards, the last sign of him was around here in the Teno Rural Park. I don't know if he was walking, hiking.. I just don't know.

"That's where I lose the thread."

The last person to speak to Jay was his friend, Lucy Law. (Snapchat)
The last person to speak to Jay was his friend, Lucy Law. (Snapchat)

A statement from officers at the Civil Defence search team previously said the ongoing search was 'frustrating' but they still had hope that Jay would be found alive.

"We still have hope that he's alive, up until the last moment when the last hope is lost," they said.

"The truth is that we feel a bit frustrated because we can't find him. It's so big [here] that it's very difficult to search in such a steep area. But we're doing everything we can."

Meanwhile, Jay's mother Debbie Duncan has recently spoken out about the GoFundMe which has been set up following her son's disappearance, after the family faced criticism online about how the money would be used.

Jay's mum Debbie has since flown to the island as her son remains missing. (Family Handout)
Jay's mum Debbie has since flown to the island as her son remains missing. (Family Handout)

"I wanted to confirm that this is the only GoFundMe fundraiser approved by our family," she wrote.

"We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.

"The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.

"We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay. Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide. Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you again."

Featured Image Credit: James Manning/PA Wire / Family Handout

Topics: Travel, UK News