Avalanche in Greece’s Vardousia Mountains kills four experienced climbers

The tragic discovery of four mountain climbers’ bodies beneath an avalanche in the Vardousia Mountains in Fokida on December 26 marked the end of a prolonged and complex search and rescue operation that began after the group went missing on Christmas Day, as per Greek media reports.

The climbers — three men and one woman — had departed on Christmas morning from the village of Athanasios Diakos, intending to follow a mountain route toward Korakas Peak, which rises to 2,495 meters.

All contact with the group was lost late that night, as mobile phone communication failed due to the lack of signal. Authorities were alerted shortly after midnight by a friend of the climbers, who had not joined the expedition.

A large-scale search and rescue effort was immediately launched, involving approximately 30 firefighters, mountaineering units from the 1st, 6th, 7th, and 8th EMAK disaster response teams, a specialised tracked vehicle, drones, and a helicopter. The operation faced extremely challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. During the search, rescuers also located the climbers’ vehicle.

The bodies were eventually found close together beneath the avalanche, almost as if embracing, suggesting that the group had no time to react when they were suddenly overwhelmed by the snow. Friends of the climbers confirmed that they were experienced mountaineers.

Recovery of the bodies is expected to begin in the coming hours, with helicopter assistance, weather permitting, due to the site’s significant distance from the nearest road.

By Tamilla Hasanova