American man goes missing in Siberia

The US citizen is a student at Irkutsk State Linguistic University and visited the tourist destination of Arshan in Buryatia with friends. He left a guesthouse in the village during the night on 27 March, evidently without a coat in sub-zero temperatures, and has not been seen since, say local sources. 

A search by police is underway and emergency services are using a helicopter to locate him. His cellphone is unavailable. Mr Madsen is from Jefferson City, Missouri, and is understood to speak good Russian.

'Police officers are searching for a 25-year-old man, who went out of a guest house in Arshan village on 27 March, between 2 am and 5 am and has not yet returned,' said a statement from Buryatian police. 

He is described as being 170 cm to 175 cm tall, of slim build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was dressed in sand-coloured trousers, a T-shirt, and wore grey hiking boots. 'If you have information on the whereabouts of the missing man please notify us by telephone, ' said a statement. 

Temperatures in the region are around 9C during the day, but dip below freezing at night. 

His mother, Dana Madsen, is flying to Russia to help the search for her missing son. Friend Elena Fuks said: 'Today they should be searching for him with a helicopter. Colin's mom is coming this  week.'

Another friend Vlad Rasputin, from Irkutsk, wrote on his social media account: 'I'm going to Arshan right now, and will help in the search.

'At the moment no-one can clearly explain what happened. We have called the US Embassy in Moscow and they told us that they are taking measures.'

The Arshan area is famous for its healing mineral waters, mountain views and waterfalls. The village also has a noted Buddhist temple.