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Avalanche claims lives of four hikers in central Greece
Search teams recovered the bodies of three men and one woman on Friday evening after they were buried by snow in the Vardousia Mountains. The group had gone missing on Christmas Day.
Search operation details
Rescue crews located the victims near the summit of Korakas peak, at approximately 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) above sea level. The area is known for its steep, rugged terrain, which complicated recovery efforts.
Fire service officials confirmed the hikers were swept away by an avalanche. Initial weather conditions had been favorable when the group began their ascent, but deteriorated rapidly due to altitude and the mountain's challenging landscape.
Challenges faced by rescuers
Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, spokesperson for the Hellenic Fire Service, told the BBC that extreme weather-including freezing temperatures and limited visibility-hampered search operations. Drones and a helicopter struggled to detect signs of the missing hikers under these conditions.
"Weather conditions were extremely difficult, with low temperatures and poor visibility."
Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, Hellenic Fire Service
A ground team later discovered the bodies. The woman, identified as a friend of one of the men, had not been expected to join the climb, according to authorities.
Recovery efforts continue
On Saturday, rescue teams worked to retrieve the remaining bodies from the treacherous slope. One body was successfully airlifted by helicopter, while crews prepared to transport the other three to a nearby plateau using a winch.
Haris Asariotakis, head of the Hellenic Rescue Team at the scene, described the location as particularly hazardous. He noted that the site is roughly three hours from the village of Athanasios Diakos and emphasized the logistical difficulties of the operation.
"If the helicopter is unable to reach the area, we will descend on foot together with firefighters and mountain guides."
Haris Asariotakis, Hellenic Rescue Team
