The dead youths were part of a group of nine of 17-23-year-olds who set out from Skaidi in the community of Kvalsund early yesterday morning. It is believed they were heading eastwards towards Porsanger municipality.

At 09:00, one of the youths rang police from what he said was an unknown location, saying two of the party had been separated from the rest.

None of the young people was dressed for the freezing mountain temperatures, and weather in the area was severe according to police.

All further efforts to contact or trace the missing people by mobile failed, as the network was down for most of the day.

The bad weather also prevented authorities from using a Sea King helicopter to look for the youths and hampered search and rescue teams, who had to seek shelter for a while.

According to police, two survivors were found at 02:15 this morning, and the other four just after 02:30.

“All are in good condition but suffering slightly from the effects of the cold and have been placed under observation. They are deeply affected by what has happened,” Jon Arne Nilsen, Communications Advisor for Helse Finnmark, tells The Foreigner.d

Police say all available personnel were mobilised in the search for the nine youths, numbering some 60 people from the military, Red Cross, civil defence forces, police, aided by volunteers.

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