Search for Jakov Vučetić enters fourth day as weather opens window for helicopter and drones

The search for Jakov Vučetić, who went missing on Mount Triglav, entered its fourth day as teams and his family hope clearer weather will finally open previously inaccessible areas to be scanned by air and on the ground.

Weather opens brief window for helicopter and thermal drones

After two days of dense fog that effectively grounded aerial operations, skies above Triglav cleared and authorities said that if conditions hold a helicopter and drones equipped with thermal cameras will join the effort. About 20 members of the Mountain Rescue Service are prepared to continue the ground search.

Jakov’s father, the priest Nikola Vučetić, travelled to Slovenia and has been at the search site. He said the family is waiting for the rescuers' instructions before the next move. "We are still waiting for instructions from the Mountain Rescue Service and from police chief Damjan about whether and when the helicopter will take off in the search. The plan for today is to include drones, a helicopter and 20 members of the Mountain Rescue Service," Vučetić said.

Search teams have faced extremely difficult conditions: thick fog, low temperatures and snow that severely limited visibility and mobility. A helicopter overflew the likely area several times on Monday but without result; fog prevented effective use of the aircraft’s thermal equipment, and drones launched from the Zadnjica area also failed to capture clear images.

Rescuers did find several traces that may help reconstruct Jakov’s last movements. According to his father, Jakov managed to contact the Mountain Rescue Service on Sunday at about 19:00, reporting he was at approximately 1,900 metres above sea level, that his phone battery was nearly depleted, and sending his coordinates. About 200 metres below that spot rescuers found an eggshell, and earlier they located personal items believed to belong to him.

There is additional hope because Jakov reportedly carried survival gear. "Only yesterday I learned from a man at the Mountain Rescue Service named Teo that in the call Jakov said he had with him aluminium thermal foil, a sleeping bag, a gas heater and three batteries for his headlamp," Vučetić said. Those items could help protect him from the cold if he found shelter, though teams still face the challenges of altitude and harsh weather.

Nikola described how the conditions changed between Ljubljana and the mountain: "It is deceptive that Jakov set out from Ljubljana when it was 15 degrees above zero. That night was very cold — the temperature up on the summit of Triglav fell to minus 10. There were heavy snows, and below, rain. The snow was not deep everywhere, but in places drifts reached up to half a metre." He added that the family prays Jakov found shelter. "All we can do is hope that Jakov found some shelter. We pray to God and to Saint Jacob that this ends the way we all expect — that we find him somewhere alive and well," his father said.

Vučetić also expressed gratitude to rescuers, friends, parishioners and others who have offered support and prayers. The search continues and the family is anxiously awaiting further updates from the rescue teams.

Photo: press material from the event