Key Aspects:
- Search efforts continue in an attempt to locate Wang Zyuan on Mt. Liamuiga on St. Kitts four days after he became lost.
- Wang called emergency services to report that he was lost on Wednesday, May 27, at roughly 2 p.m.
- The trail to the summit of the dormant volcano is a steep and challenging one, but authorities are not giving up.
Now in its fourth day, the search continues for Wang Zyuan, last seen on the Mt. Liamuiga hiking trail on St. Kitts. The 33-year-old Wang was last seen on Wednesday, May 27, at roughly 10:30 a.m. He called emergency services himself at roughly 2 p.m. to report that he was lost in the mountains before contact was disconnected.
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has confirmed the search is still ongoing for Wang. Multiple agencies have been involved, including RSCNPF officers, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Department, the Police Training School, the Forest Unit, the Red Cross, and the Ross University K9 Unit.
Search operations have been coordinated across the mountain, as Wang’s position has not been confirmed and he has not yet been located. At this time, there is no deadline to discontinue the search efforts.
“The RSCNPF and all partnering agencies remain committed to finding Mr. Wang and will continue search operations,” said the RSCNPF in a Facebook post on Sunday, May 31. “Updates will be issued as the situation develops.”
No further details have yet been released. The Chinese male national is believed to have been hiking alone without a guide, and the Mt. Liamuiga trail is a challenging one with steep sections that can have tricky or slippery footing, depending on weather conditions.
Cruise Hive previously reported on Wang’s disappearance, noting that while the cruise ship he is affiliated with was not confirmed by authorities, the only ship in Basseterre, St. Kitts on the day he went missing was Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.
It is unknown whether Wang was a guest aboard the 78,900-gross-ton cruise ship or if he may be a crew member. Rhapsody of the Seas can welcome 2,040 guests onboard and is also home to more than 750 crew members.
Could Wang Still Be Found?
The difficulty of the trail and the isolated location makes finding Wang more challenging, but not impossible.
The mountain, actually a dormant volcano, rises 3,793 feet and is the highest peak in St. Kitts and Nevis. The 4-mile-long trail works through lush rainforest and offers incomparable wildlife sightings and stunning panoramic island views, while gaining 2,040 feet of elevation along the way.
According to AllTrails, the hike is described as “more of a jungle climb than a hike.”
“The muddy and uneven path is easy to lose, so it is highly recommended that you download your map before heading out on the trail or hire a guide. Be warned, there are numerous areas where you will need to climb steep slopes using the slippery roots of trees as a sort of makeshift ladder,” the trail description reads.
Local authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist with locating Wang to contact emergency services. The trail is a popular one, and any clues could be useful to find Wang more quickly.
“The Force thanks all volunteers, agencies, and members of the public who have supported and continue to support this effort,” the RSCNPF said.
Hiking Can Be Dangerous in Any Destination
Sadly, this is not the first time a cruise guest (or employee) has become disoriented and lost while hiking. Cruise Hive has reported on such incidents previously, including when a cruise guest from Norwegian Bliss went missing while hiking in Alaska in July 2025. That guest was later found deceased well below the ridgeline trail she had been hiking.
In September 2025, two other guests fell from another trail in Alaska, and one tragically passed away from his injuries.
Another distressing incident happened in October 2025, when an elderly woman was left behind while hiking on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef are of Australia, and was later found deceased.
It is easy for cruise guests and other tourists to overestimate their hiking abilities when faced with steep and challenging climbs that lead to spectacular views. Of course, accidents are possible regardless of any individual’s hiking ability and experience.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Wang’s family and friends with hope that he may be found safe as soon as possible.
