37-year-old Bulgarian tourist found after disappearing on Šar Mountain
Center for Crisis Management: found in Gorna Lešnica at 14:50 on August 30, 2026; search used thermal drones and a Bell 212 helicopter.
A 37-year-old Bulgarian citizen who had been reported missing on Šar Mountain on August 30, 2026, was found alive on the same day in the nearby village of Gorna Lešnica, the Center for Crisis Management (CCM) reported.
The woman had been hiking as part of a group of four foreign nationals heading toward Titov Vrv. Three members of the party returned on the evening of August 29 and realized she had not come back with them; they then reported her disappearance and a search operation was launched immediately.
Search operation and assets deployed
Search teams mobilized personnel from several units and used aerial and technical means to locate the missing hiker. A police Bell 212 helicopter and specialized rescue teams took part in the operation, supported by ground units in the area.
"In the search, members of special units from Skopje, the Popova Shapka Police Station, the Public Enterprise 'Šar Mountain' and DZS – PO Tetovo were engaged. Two drones with thermal cameras were used, and a police Bell 212 helicopter and a rescue team from SAE 'Tigar' also joined the search. Today at 14:50 the missing woman was found in the village of Gorna Lešnica, in good health," the Center for Crisis Management said.
Authorities say the woman was in good medical condition when located and that she will receive any necessary assistance. Local police and mountain rescue services continue routine checks and follow-up procedures after such incidents.
The incident highlights the risks hikers face in the Šar Mountain area and the value of coordinated search-and-rescue resources, including thermal-equipped drones and helicopter support.
Photo: press material from the event
