Four tourists died in an avalanche on Mount Vardousia, in the region of Phocis, in central Greece, local authorities reported, quoted by NOVA
Three of the dead were declared missing late on Thursday after they had taken a route from the village of Athanasios Diakos to Mount Korakas, rising to 2,495 meters. Their relatives told state television ERT that attempts to contact them by phone were unsuccessful due to lack of coverage. The fourth victim is a woman in her 30s who was the partner of one of the men.
The search operation began early on Friday with the participation of rescue teams, drones and trained dogs. The bodies were found near tracks left by the tourists. Two of the men were experienced mountaineers, but the terrain is extremely difficult and dangerous, especially in bad weather. Rescuers hoped the group had managed to find shelter from the extreme weather.