Hiker attacked by bear in Rhodope Mountains dies
A tragic incident unfolded in the remote Fraktos Forest of the Rhodope Mountains when a Greek hiker died after an encounter with a wild bear on Monday afternoon. The man fell into an 800-meter-deep ravine following the attack and was later pronounced dead.
Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the victim, Christos, and his companion, Dimitris Kioroglou—both experienced hikers from Drama and members of the Drama Runners’ Association—were returning from a trek near the Bulgaria-Greece border when a brown bear appeared near their trail.
In an interview with ERT, Kioroglou recounted how his dog distracted the bear briefly, allowing him to use pepper spray. The bear fled but turned toward Christos, who was standing near the cliff’s edge. The bear reportedly pushed him, causing him to fall into the ravine.
Emergency services reached the remote site after a lengthy hike and airlifted the victim to the Chrysoupoli Health Center, where he was declared dead. An autopsy is expected to confirm the precise cause of death.
The mayor of Paranesti, Anastasios Kayiaoglou, noted the hikers were aiming to reach the site of a World War II-era abandoned warplane.
The incident has raised concerns about wildlife encounters in the region’s protected forests and the need for improved emergency access in remote hiking areas.
