UPD – 13.40 – A 23-year-old snowboarder who had gone missing for several hours at the Seli Ski Resort in Imathia, northern Greece has been found and is safe.
The young man was detected by firefighters at an outpost located outside the limits of the ski resort. According to reports, the 23-year-old is in good health. As an experienced skier with survival training, it was believed he would be able to take care of himself during the ordeal.
“After our phone communication with him, we understood that he was in good health,” a Fire Department spokesperson emphasized.
At first light, volunteers began a thorough search of the area on foot, supported by 27 firefighters, units from the 2nd and 7th Special Disaster Response Teams (EMAK), and a specially trained search-and-rescue dog.
Rescue teams are searching for a snowboarder who went missing at the Seli Ski Resort in Imathia, northern Greece. The young man, who was around the age of 20, was last seen snowboarding with friends on Monday afternoon before they parted ways and was declared missing on Monday evening, January 6th.
According to reports, the group had planned to meet in the parking area after the ski resort closed around 16:00, but the snowboarder never arrived. Concerned, his friends alerted the authorities, triggering an overnight search effort.
Extensive Search Underway
Rescue teams, including specialized dogs and drones, have been combing the Seli Ski Resort and its surrounding area, but no trace of the snowboarder has been found so far. “We have been searching every inch of the area since 5 PM yesterday, but the efforts have been fruitless,” said Lakis Meliopoulos, the director of the Seli Ski Resort, in a statement to the media.
The search teams are using all available resources, including “Talos,” a rescue dog known for its work in earthquake-stricken areas, according to thesstoday news. A second dog from Thessaloniki has also joined the operation. Around 40 rescuers are physically searching the slopes, while all cabins at the resort have been opened with lights and heaters turned on, in case the young man seeks shelter.
“His Phone Has No Signal”
Meliopoulos noted that the snowboarder’s phone has no signal, complicating the search. “There was a lot of activity on the slopes, but no one reported seeing him after 2 PM. The resort closed at 4 PM, and by 5:10 PM, we were notified that someone was missing,” he explained.
He emphasized that the slopes are generally safe, with open spaces and few trees. “This is a smooth mountain without major risks, and there is no possibility of an avalanche,” he said.
The snow cover is extensive, but temperatures are not dangerously low. “If he is found soon, he likely won’t have suffered frostbite,” Meliopoulos reassured.
