New facts are emerging about the tragedy in the Vardousia Mountains inFokida, where four mountaineers, who had been missing for two 24 hours, were found unconscious.

The four men were found buried under an avalanche, at a point just before the top of the mountain, confirming the initial estimates of rescuers from the first hours of the search. This particular spot is characterized as particularly dangerous, with steep passages and vertical slopes.

Experienced mountaineers and rescue team members point out that in such conditions even a small noise or a shout can cause an avalanche to break off, especially when the snow is fresh and unstable.

According to Ertnews reports, the four climbers were suddenly swept away by the avalanche. Rescuers found them buried a very short distance from each other, almost hugging each other, indicating that they did not have time to react or move away.

It will be recalled that traces had been found early on and were disappearing abruptly, an indication that reinforced the avalanche scenario from the start. The team had started the ascent in good weather conditions, but the weather picture changed drastically due to the altitude and the particular morphology of the mountain.

It is noted that one of the climbers knew the route very well, as he had been staying in the village of Athanasios Diakos for the last few years and had often carried out this particular climb.

The procedures of retrieval and transportation of the bodies are continuing with special care, as the site is difficult, and are expected to be completed when weather and operational conditions allow.

The chronicle of the tragedy

Rescue crews and volunteers have been battling time for two days in the Vardousia Mountains. The three friends set out on Thursday morning from the village of Athanasios Diakos with the intention of following a demanding mountain route, but from that moment they gave no sign of life.

Their vehicle was located while a short distance behind the parking point the ascent to the top of Korakas was starting, where the mountain’s terrain changes abruptly and becomes particularly dangerous.

A friend of the climbers, Dimitris Ravanis, said: “One child is renting a house in the village. He is an experienced climber and together with two friends they climbed the mountain. There are two shelters but they are closed. We checked them and they were not there.”

Another climber said: “I reached the shelters, the snow was very heavy, up to the second shelter it was up to my knee.”

The authorities were immediately alerted. According to the fire department, two of the missing were experienced climbers, but the area is considered extremely difficult and dangerous. Low temperatures, limited visibility and the particular morphology of the terrain made the operation difficult.

Dimitris Ravanis also said, “We locals who went up to help were unable to locate anything.”

Their mobile phones remained off the grid, making any communication or attempt to locate them via signal impossible.

Ioannis Georgakos, a member of the Arachova ski mountaineering club, said: “There was a severe storm at Christmas. There was hope that they had found a cave to protect themselves.”

The operation involved 30 firefighters with the climbing teams of the 1st, 6th, 7th and 8th EMAK, while a drone operated from the air in hard-to-reach areas. Searches were further reinforced in mountainous Fthiotida, with additional forces from the 6th EMAK of Patras and the 8th EMAK of Larissa.

The teams were moving in extremely challenging terrain, with deep snow, steep slopes and limited visibility, having reached an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The possibility of an avalanche was seriously considered early on, as the snow was knee-deep, a particularly dangerous condition for this terrain.

Despite the fact that the climbers were in good physical condition and knew the route, experts stressed that the Vardusha in winter is not forgiving of mistakes, even by the most experienced. As the hours passed and given the low temperatures, the chances of being found alive decreased dramatically.