An extensive rescue operation by the Hellenic Fire Service successfully located and evacuated four hikers who had become disoriented in the Sipreni Gorge in Elis. The alarm was raised late on Sunday, 12 July 2026, when the hikers contacted emergency services via the 112 hotline, reporting they were lost in the gorge.
By that time, darkness had already fallen, and the terrain in the gorge had become increasingly hazardous—prompting the group to halt their trek for safety reasons. Using the 112 system, they were able to relay their precise location, enabling rescue teams to mobilise swiftly to the area, according to Patris News.
Rescue efforts involved specialised units from the 6th EMAK (Special Disaster Response Unit) and the 18th EMODE (Special Mountain Rescue Unit), alongside fire service vehicles and personnel from local Elis stations. Local residents familiar with the gorge’s narrow passages and unique topography also joined the operation, assisting rescue teams in navigating more efficiently toward the estimated location of the hikers.