Search continues for missing farmer in Rodopi

Search operations continued for a third consecutive day on Saturday to locate an elderly farmer who went missing in the Rodopi region and is believed to have been swept away by swollen river waters.

The man, a resident of the village of Mirana, has been missing since the night of Wednesday, January 7, when he failed to return home after heading out for agricultural work with his tractor amid severe weather conditions.

According to authorities, the farmer attempted to cross an agricultural ford near the junction of the villages of Mirana and Venna during heavy rainfall and strong winds. He is believed to have been carried away by the fast-flowing waters of the Lissos River, which had overflowed following the storm.

Police were alerted by the man’s children late on Wednesday night, when search efforts were hampered by adverse weather. From the early hours of Thursday, extensive search and rescue operations have been under way, involving firefighters, EMAK special disaster response units, divers, and drone teams from the Fire Service.

Volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross, local residents, municipal authorities and Civil Protection services have also joined the effort. The operation remains challenging, as the Lissos River continues to run high and fast.

As of Saturday, January 10, after more than 72 hours of searches, no trace of the man—who was born in 1942—has been found. Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the relevant services.

Photo:ERT