UPDATE: The bodies of four climbers have been tragically discovered after they were buried by an avalanche on Christmas Day in the Vardousia Mountains, Greece. Local reports confirm that the group, consisting of three men and a woman, was found embracing each other, indicating they had little time to react to the deadly snow slide.
The victims have been identified as experienced climber Thanasis Koloutouros, teacher Theodora Kaplani, and two friends, Konstantinos Patikas and Giorgos Domalis. They set off from the village of Athanasios Diakos on the morning of December 25, 2023, with plans to summit Korakas, a peak reaching approximately 6,500ft.
Authorities report that conditions deteriorated rapidly as the climbers ascended. Despite clear weather at the start, significant snowfall had made the terrain perilous. The group was killed instantly by the avalanche, which struck near the mountain’s peak. Rescuers noted that the climbers were likely caught off guard by the sudden change in weather.
The alarm was raised when a friend reported their absence after the expected return time. Rescuers from the Hellenic Fire Service faced severe challenges due to low visibility and harsh weather. Spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis stated, “Weather conditions were extremely difficult, with low temperatures and poor visibility,” complicating rescue efforts.
Search teams employed drones and helicopters, but were limited by the weather. One body was recovered, but the search for the remaining victims continued. Haris Asariotakis, head of the Hellenic Rescue Team, emphasized the difficult location of the incident, approximately three hours from the village, at an altitude of 2,000m. He mentioned, “If the helicopter cannot reach the area, we will descend on foot together with firefighters and mountain guides.”
The President of the Fire Officers’ Association, Kostas Tsigas, stressed that the climbers may have lost their way in the blizzard-like conditions, stating, “Visibility was very low, there was a lot of snow, and possibly a blizzard affected the route they took.”
This incident follows a recent avalanche in Austria that swept away skiers last month, highlighting the dangers posed by winter sports. As families mourn the loss of these four climbers, the community is reminded of the unpredictable nature of mountain conditions during winter.
As the search and recovery operations continue, authorities urge climbers to remain vigilant and informed about weather conditions before setting out. Share this urgent news to raise awareness about the risks climbers face during winter excursions.
