Rucksack find raises hopes for missing trekker

FAMILY and friends of an Irish backpacker missing in South America say the discovery of his rucksack in a hostel in El Calafate in Argentina has renewed hopes that he is still alive.

Ronan Lawlor, 28, from Durrow, Co Laois, last stayed in the hostel before crossing the border into Torres de Paine National Park in Chile.

The chemical engineer, who was backpacking around South America since August 8 last, had been keeping in touch with family and friends until the middle of last month.