UPDATE: Four missing climbers have been found dead after being buried by an avalanche on Christmas Day in the Vardousia Mountains of central Greece. The group, consisting of three men and one woman, was discovered embracing each other under the snow, indicating they had little time to react to the deadly event.
Local reports identify the climbers as Thanasis Koloutouros, Theodora Kaplani, Konstantinos Patikas, and Giorgos Domalis. They set off for a festive hike at approximately 9:00 AM on December 25, 2023, from the village of Athanasios Diakos, aiming to summit the 6,500 ft peak of Korakas. Despite initially clear weather, conditions deteriorated rapidly, leading to the avalanche.
Authorities report that fresh snow significantly increased the avalanche risk. The group was reportedly caught off guard, with their bodies found near the peak, crushed by falling snow. A friend raised the alarm when they failed to return from the hike, prompting a rescue operation by the Hellenic Fire Service.
Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the service, confirmed the extreme weather conditions, stating, “Weather conditions were extremely difficult, with low temperatures and poor visibility.” Rescuers faced challenges deploying drones and helicopters due to worsening weather, with one body recovered by air and efforts ongoing for the others.
Haris Asariotakis, the head of the Hellenic Rescue Team, highlighted the difficulties posed by the climb’s location. “It is about three hours from the village of Athanasios Diakos, at an altitude of 2,000 m. If the helicopter is unable to reach the area, we will descend on foot together with firefighters and mountain guides,” he said.
Local officials suggest that poor visibility and heavy snowfall may have disoriented the climbers. Kostas Tsigas, president of the Fire Officers’ Association, noted that initial findings indicate the group likely lost their way due to the blizzard conditions.
This tragic incident follows a recent avalanche that struck the Daunscharte pass in Austria, underscoring the dangers posed by winter sports. The global skiing community has been on high alert following several avalanche-related fatalities this season.
As search and recovery efforts continue, families and friends of the victims mourn the loss, highlighting the profound impact of this tragedy on the local community. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks of mountain climbing, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
