Lost German on Crete: Climbers Unearth Remains
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- German Man's Remains Discovered on Crete Island
Though the search for a missing 20-year-old German climber from Heidelberg on the picturesque island of Crete had apparently ended, a local climbing group recently stumbled upon his remains in the rugged depths of Mount Gigilos, a mountainous region close to the renowned Samaria Gorge. His identification, based on photographs and his distinctive clothing garb, was confirmed by Greek news outlet ERTNews, with his body to be further examined at Chania.
The gripping tale unfolded when these experienced climbers decided to spend the night in the 2000-meter high Mount Gigilos during a climb, encountering the lifeless body of the young adventurer early on a Friday morning, hours after the break of dawn, in a secluded location called Mitato of Tzatzimos.
The harrowing trail began on February 13, when the young explorer ventured into the Samaria Gorge region and promptly vanished. He reached out to his sister, assuring her everything was proceeding smoothly – only for his trail to go cold shortly thereafter. The search for the inaccessible explorer was fraught from the outset, with dense fog posing a visibility issue, interspersed periods of hail and snow, and rescuers and their canine counterparts battling challenging conditions.
Abandoned Search on Crete
Just like the missing young man's path vanishing into the mist, the search itself succumbed to weather-related hindrances on March 2 and was temporarily halted. In a desperate effort, the victim's family clubbed resources and paid for additional rescue teams with donations, but even this renewed search effort bore no fruit.
Climbing the imposing Mount Gigilos may seem daunting to trekking enthusiasts, its rocky, crevice-ridden upper region typically only tackled by seasoned climbers in the safety of the summer months. The soaring heights pose a challenge, even with expert guidance. Conversely, access to the gorge is usually blocked during the winter due to the risks posed by heavy rain, snow, and fog, leading to potential floods, landslides, and rockfalls.
- Crete
- Lost
- Germany
- Heidelberg
- Chania
- Samaria Gorge
- Mount Gigilos
- Mountain climbing
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the rugged Mountain Gigilos, where a German climber from Heidelberg was found. Although the body of the climber, lost in the Samaria Gorge region of Crete, was discovered, it remains unclear how he came to be in such a secluded location called Mitato of Tzatzimos. ERTNews carried the story of the young explorer's identification, suggesting a delay in the further examination of his remains at Chania, despite the harrowing trail that led to his discovery.
