Locals’ grave concerns over disappearance of SA man Cameron Twiss in Albania

After five weeks with no trace of SA man Cameron Twiss, questions are being raised over how he could have vanished on one of the region’s busiest hiking trails.

It has been 39 days since South Australian man Cameron Twiss vanished without a trace on an Albanian hiking trail - and as time ticks on the rescue clock, even seasoned locals have begun to raise questions over the bizarre circumstances of his disappearance.

Mr Twiss, 28, was last seen at 8am on October 13 after setting out on the path between Valbona and Theth, one of the region’s most popular hikes.

When the alarm was raised over Mr Twiss’ whereabouts, authorities discovered his clothes and passport at his hostel in nearby Shkoder.

It is understood members of his family made a mercy dash from South Australia to hang missing persons posters in the small town of Valbona, and his brother participated in several on-foot search parties. Thus far, major efforts to locate Mr Twiss have been unsuccessful.

Packed tight with hostels and hotels, Shkoder is the gateway to the Albanian Alps’ breathtaking hikes, drawing more than 500,000 visitors every year as eager adventurers descend on the city.

Cameron Twiss was last seen more than a month ago hiking in Albania. Picture: Facebook

Arlind Shkembi manages the Kultura Hostel, one of the tourist hotspots heaving with young hikers in peak season.

The first Mr Shkembi heard of Mr Twiss’ disappearance was when a group of Australian girls came through the hostel about a fortnight ago, weeks after the 28-year-old was last seen.

“They were drinking and talking about the mountains and said, ‘Hey, did you hear about this case?’,” he said.

When asked what he believed could have happened to Mr Twiss, he said it was unlikely he could have found himself in trouble on the Valbona to Theth hike - which he described as “so easy 70-year-olds do it”.

“The area is always filled with people from other countries. There are cabins that serve coffee or, if you get stuck at night there, they will give you blankets or something to warm up,” he said.

Mr Shkembi said hiking conditions in October were “cold but doable”, but the weather unpredictable, and believed it was likely the 28-year-old had veered off the path into difficult and dangerous terrain.

In May 2023, two female tourists, one Belgian and one French, slipped to their deaths after exploring away from the well-worn route in snowy and foggy conditions.

A staff member at nearby Wanderers Hostel, one of the area’s most popular lodges for Australian travellers, agreed with Mr Shkembi’s theory.

Cameron Twiss was last spotted between Valbona and Theth, one of the region’s most popular hikes. Picture: Facebook

She said it was “extremely rare” for hikers to get killed or injured in the warmer months.

“If you go out of the way and keep going some areas are very dangerous for hiking over there,” she said.

“But in the summer, there’s no snow and lots of people around, so it’s very hard to get lost or not get help.”

An Albania Mountain Search and Rescue Service spokesperson, who participated in the volunteer organisation’s multiple unsuccessful searches for Mr Twiss, said a tourist being killed or injured on the busy path was “extremely unusual”.

The organisation has also assisted police in speaking to residents, local and foreign guides and hostels in the desperate search for answers - to no avail.

Cameron Twiss during a hike in Albania. Picture: Facebook

They said they were “ready to restart the search mission” if new information came forward about Mr Twiss’ disappearance and extended their thoughts to his family.

Earlier this week, one of Mr Twiss’ friends told The Advertiser they feared foul play over his disappearance.

“I just think – if they have been doing their job – there would have been some signs of him,” they said.

“You can’t help but imagine the worst and fear he’s been human trafficked or killed.”

But Mr Shkembi said he believed the area was safe, with tourists often becoming friends with one another in town before setting off on their hikes.

Police in Shkodër were assisting in the initial search for Mr Twiss, but told The Advertiser the investigation was now in the hands of the Albanian State Police and Tropojë municipality authorities.

Albanian State Police did not respond to requests for an update on the case by deadline.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said DFAT was providing consular assistance to Mr Twiss’ family but could not provide further comment due to privacy reasons.

Anyone in the area with information about his disappearance has been urged to contact authorities.