Four hikers found dead after avalanche in Vardousia Mountains, Greece. Rescue teams faced harsh weather in the challenging search and recovery operation.

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Four Hikers Found Dead After Avalanche in Vardousia Mountains, Greece

Tragedy struck in central Greece as four hikers were found dead following an avalanche in the snow-covered Vardousia Mountains. The bodies, identified as three men and a woman, were discovered on the steep and challenging slopes near the summit of Korakas peak at an altitude of around 2,000m (6,561ft).

Search and Recovery in Harsh Conditions

The hikers began their ascent on Christmas Day in favorable weather, but rapidly deteriorating conditions at higher altitudes caught them off-guard. Once they failed to return, a friend of the group alerted local authorities, prompting a large-scale search.

Teams from the Hellenic Fire Service, assisted by drones and helicopters, struggled with low temperatures and poor visibility. Despite the immense challenges, ground crews finally located the missing hikers partially buried by snow.

Statements from Officials

Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the Hellenic Fire Service, explained, “Weather conditions were extremely difficult, with low temperatures and poor visibility,” making aerial searches particularly challenging. Recovery efforts commenced immediately, with one of the bodies successfully airlifted from the remote slope, while attempts to move the remaining three were ongoing due to the treacherous terrain.

Haris Asariotakis, head of the Hellenic Rescue Team, described the location as “about three hours from the village of Athanasios Diakos, at an altitude of 2,000m.” He added, “If the helicopter is unable to reach the area, we will descend on foot together with firefighters and mountain guides.”

Ongoing Risks in Mountain Terrain

The Vardousia Mountains are well-known among hikers for their beauty but are notorious for rapidly changing weather and challenging terrain. This tragic incident is a somber reminder of the risks all hikers accept when braving remote alpine environments.

For further tips on mountain safety and prevention, you can visit the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR).

Further Reading and Local Response

The local community and rescue teams continue to support efforts to recover the remaining bodies and are urging all adventurers to take extra precaution during winter climbs. See our article about mountain hiking safety tips in Greece for more information on staying safe in these conditions.

For the original report, you can view the coverage by BBC News.

Additional reporting by Kostas Koukoumakas