In the most tragic possible outcome, search efforts for a 40-year-old man who went missing during a rafting trip in the Tryfou Gorge near Vonitsa concluded this morning (2 July 2026) with the recovery of his body. Rescue teams located the remains in a hard-to-reach area, prompting an extensive operation to retrieve them.
A Rafting Trip Turns Fatal
The incident began on Wednesday, when the man and a friend were rafting through the rugged Tryfou Gorge in Vonitsa — a popular but demanding natural site in western Greece’s Aetolia-Acarnania region. Under unclear circumstances, the two men were involved in an accident, after which both disappeared from sight.
The friend managed to contact emergency services at 112, triggering a large-scale rescue response. Eighteen firefighters from the 6th Regional Unit of the Hellenic Fire Service participated, including specialists in swift-water rescue and mountain rescue teams. Also involved were units from the 6th Emergency Response and Disaster Management Team (EMODE), as well as the Regional Drone Unit (SmEEA) of Western Greece.
First Man Rescued, Search Continues
Rescuers successfully located and extracted the first man — the survivor — using ropes after he was found trapped among rocks. He then assisted authorities by indicating the likely location of his friend, leading to intensive searches throughout the gorge until late into the night.
Operations resumed at dawn today. Shortly after, rescuers located the 40-year-old man unconscious. His body was recovered shortly thereafter.
The exact cause of the accident is under investigation by the relevant authorities. Additional details are available via agriniosite.gr.