Renowned Austrian writer Bodo Hell has been reported missing in the Dachstein region of Styria.

The 81-year-old author, who traditionally spends his summers on a mountain hut at Grafenbergalm, has not been heard from since Friday.

A friend, concerned by the lack of contact, discovered the hut empty on Sunday and alerted the authorities.

A large-scale search operation involving around 100 personnel, including mountain rescuers, firefighters, the military, alpine police, and two police helicopters, is underway.

Despite extensive efforts, there has been no sign of Hell, and authorities suspect he may have had an accident while hiking.

Hell, a recipient of the Styrian Literature Prize this year, is known for tending to animals and writing during his summer retreats at the hut.