Four hikers found dead in Greece
Four hikers have been found dead in Greece’s Vardousia Mountains after being swept away by an avalanche on Christmas Day.
According to the Greek state broadcaster, ERT, the hikers — three men and one woman — were tragically found dead on Friday evening after a large-scale search in the mountainous region of Fokida.
Fire service teams located and retrieved the bodies, partially covered by snow, on a steep and inaccessible slope near the summit of Korakas peak, at an altitude of about 2,000m (6,561ft).
Rescue officials said the group was swept away by an avalanche.
Authorities confirmed that the unpredictable terrain and weather proved too much, and they were found buried under snow and ice, just meters apart, indicating the suddenness of the avalanche.
According to the BBC, Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the Hellenic Fire Service, said the alarm was raised by a friend of the three men after they failed to return at the expected time.
“Weather conditions were extremely difficult, with low temperatures and poor visibility,” he said, adding that this made it hard for both drones and a helicopter to detect anything.
According to him, a fire service ground team later found the bodies of the three men and a woman, who was confirmed to be a friend of one of them and had not been expected to take part in the climb.
Recovery efforts were ongoing on Saturday, with officials calling it a super tough operation.
From the officials’ reports, one of the bodies was successfully airlifted by helicopter while efforts continue to move the remaining three to a nearby plateau so they can be recovered using a winch.
However, it was discovered by the rescue team that the group had set out from the village of Athanasios Diakos, aiming to summit Korakas peak, but were overcome by the harsh winter conditions.
According to Haris Asariotakis, head of the Hellenic Rescue Team mission at the scene, the location was particularly difficult.
“It is about three hours from the village of Athanasios Diakos, at an altitude of 2,000m,” he said. “If the helicopter is unable to reach the area, we will descend on foot together with firefighters and mountain guides.”
According to testimonies and rescue officials, the hikers were experienced.
However, experts underline that in high-altitude winter environments, experience alone does not eliminate risk.
Steep gradients, fresh snow accumulation, strong winds, and complex terrain can create avalanche-prone conditions, where even minimal disturbances — including sound or vibration — may trigger snow movement.
Officials noted that disorientation, combined with unstable snow layers, likely contributed to the fatal outcome.
Tribune
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