According to press reports, his family is now desperate for information and has appealed on social media for anyone who can help them find Igor. According to his sister, Olga Holewiński, "the last cell phone signal was in the Levada dos Tornos area." Since then, "he hasn't read messages or answered calls, which has never happened" before.

"I earnestly ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the local police," she appealed, noting that there is a large Polish community in Madeira.

"We don't know exactly which route he took – he may have chosen a less well-known path from São Vicente to the mountain. Has anyone been in that area recently or seen a lone hiker in the vicinity of São Vicente – Levada dos Tornos – Pico Ruivo – Santana?".

Olga also reveals on social media that Igor is 1.95 metres tall, has blond hair, and wears glasses, and shares several photos of her brother during his hikes that may help someone identify him.

The Polish police have also been informed of the disappearance.