Tragic accident on Olympus: German hiker dies in a fall!

Tragic accident on Olympus: German hiker dies in a fall!

A German hiking group experienced a tragic accident on Mount Olympus in Greece on Thursday, June 12th. One participant fell in the challenging terrain and had a fatal accident. Mount Olympus, which is almost 3,000 meters high, is known for its challenging hiking trails, which pose dangers in both summer and cooler months. Rescue workers launched a large-scale rescue operation to rescue the injured woman. She was rescued by helicopter from the Zonaria area on Friday at an altitude of about 2,700 meters. The exact cause of the accident remains unclear while police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Hiking accidents are not uncommon in Greece. Mount Olympus and the Samaria Gorge on Crete are particularly challenging hiking destinations. There have been fatal accidents involving German citizens here in the past. In 2022, a 67-year-old suffered fatal fall injuries in June and a 60-year-old in September. In addition, a 20-year-old German went missing in February 2023 after falling into a crevice. The official warnings for hikers in these mountainous regions are becoming louder and louder.

Sixth death in June

In recent weeks, hiking accidents in Greece have increased dramatically. The tragic incident on Mount Olympus was the sixth death in June. A 67-year-old German tourist died in Crete after he was reported missing while hiking from Omalos to Sougia on Sunday, June 11. He had made a call to his wife during his trip and stated that he was not feeling well. Rescue workers asked him to call 112 to locate his position. Unfortunately, he was found lifeless in the Tripiti Gorge on Monday morning. It is believed that he became disoriented and strayed from the path.

In addition to the German tourist, several people have disappeared without a trace to date. Three other missing people, all foreigners between the ages of 55 and 80, have not been seen for over a week. A British presenter, an 80-year-old tourist on Crete and a 55-year-old man on the island of Mathraki are among the casualties. The situation is aggravated by the extreme heat, which reached the highest temperatures since weather records began in Greece in June 2023. Doctors warn about the dangers of heat stroke, dehydration and cardiovascular problems, especially in older hikers.

Despite the clear warnings from authorities and the media, many tourists continue their hikes on the dangerous mountain slopes. The increasing number of accidents is sparking a debate about the safety of hikers in Greece and raising voices calling for more measures to prevent hazards. Given the increasing risks, every hiker should always be well informed and careful, especially in the demanding altitudes of the Greek mountains.

Special warnings apply to the hiking areas in Olympus and the Samaria Gorge, which are repeatedly the scene of serious accidents, as current events once again show. TheWest and Focus report vividly on the frightening reality for hikers in Greece.