A metal cross, which marked the highest point of the Pyrenees, has been cut down and thrown off the Pico de Aneto.

The Aneto Cross in Spain has been a poignant marker for the climbing community since it was carried to its summit in 1951. At an altitude of over 3404 metres, it has been the backdrop for countless sunrise photographs; a symbol of tranquillity and completion against a panoramic view.

Huesca mountain rescue officials told The Times that its felling has shocked the local community.

“They used an angle grinder and hurled it down,” mountain guide Chemary Carrera said, noting that the structure weighs around 100kg.

Manuel Mora, mayor of the mountain town Benasque, described it as an act of “sabotage”.

In September 2023, the cross was temporarily removed for restoration by a blacksmith, after years of ice exposure left its base weathered.

Locals have now been urged to report any sightings of it, and a GPS tracker will be considered for its reinstallation.