Tragedy in Vardousia: 4 Climbers Dead in Avalanche

Four experienced climbers lost their lives in the Vardousia Mountains, Fokida, after being swept away by an avalanche. Their bodies were found close together, buried under the snow.

The retrieval operation was carried out by helicopter due to the difficult terrain. The victims are Thanasis Kolotouros (55 years old, from Lechaina, Ilia), Giorgos Domalis (leader of the group), Konstantinos Patikas, and Theodora Kaplani (31 years old, a teacher from Trikala).

The group started from the settlement of Athanasios Diakos aiming for a winter route. A fifth climber did not participate in the excursion due to work obligations, and he was the one who notified the authorities when the group showed no signs of life.

Giorgos Domalis was a graduate of the Department of Computer Engineering of the University of Patras and co-founder of artificial intelligence companies. Theodora Kaplani worked as a substitute teacher in Nafplio.

Firefighters, EMAK mountain rescue teams, and volunteers participated in the retrieval operation.