Larissa: Mourning in Pteleo for 52-Year-Old Treasure Hunter – 77-Year-Old Who Alerted Authorities to Be Questioned

Mourning has spread across Volos and Pteleo following the tragic death of 52-year-old Thanasis Neochoritis, who lost his life trapped in a cave near Gonnous, Larissa, while searching for gold sovereigns. The local community is in shock over the sudden death of the man, whose family had no idea about his unusual hobby—hunting for historic coins, which ultimately cost him his life. The incident occurred on Tuesday (30.09.2025), when the 52-year-old became trapped 35 meters deep inside a cave. Rescue teams battled for nearly 12 hours to extract him; although they succeeded, he succumbed to his injuries. Originally from Pteleo, the victim lived and worked at a factory in the Volos industrial zone. He was unmarried, and both his parents had passed away years earlier. Relatives told magnesianews.gr they were stunned by the news. ‘He never told us about this activity or that he planned to search for gold,’ they said. The fatal treasure hunt began when the 52-year-old, accompanied by a 77-year-old man and two 40-year-old twin brothers, entered the cave between Gonnous and Kallipefki, Larissa. An accident occurred under unclear circumstances, allowing the others to escape but leaving the victim trapped. The 77-year-old immediately called emergency services (112), prompting the arrival of 27 firefighters from Larissa and Thessaloniki. Rescuers faced constant collapses in the makeshift tunnel, causing the man to be buried deeper and deprived of oxygen. According to reports, three individuals were inside the cave running an improvised ‘worksite,’ driven by a local legend of hidden treasure. The rescue operation began Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters and a team from the 8th EMAC unit arrived quickly and began extraction efforts. It took five hours to reach the man, who appeared unconscious. During the approach, a landslide occurred, but rescuers shielded him with a stretcher. They administered oxygen, and he briefly regained consciousness and responsiveness. Using specialized gear and oxygen tanks, firefighters built supports to safely lift him out. After extraction, they carried him along a rugged path for about 30 minutes to reach an ambulance waiting nearby, which rushed him to hospital. The 77-year-old who made the emergency call was arrested and will appear before the prosecutor in Larissa. Police suspect a violation of antiquities laws, though no artifacts were found in his possession. The other two men have been identified and are being sought by authorities. The funeral of Thanasis Neochoritis will be held tomorrow, Thursday, October 2nd, at 12:00 PM at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Pteleo, his hometown. He is survived by siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family.