Turkish mountain climbers missing in Greece

Uğur Ergan - ANKARA

There are many mountainous villages that lie on the Pierian Mountains, like Elatochori, which are popular among tourists and mountain climbers with their proximity to natural beauties or ski facilities.

Twelve Turkish mountain climbers have been reported missing in the Pierian Mountains of Greece.

According to the regional sources, the mountain climbers called Europe Emergency Call Center for help Jan. 24. The cellphone signal had come from a point near the village of Elatochori, around Katerini, a Greek town in Central Macedonia where the Pierian Mountains are located.

The officials said that the climbers had not disclosed any particular medical problems and that search and rescue operations were still ongoing.

Speaking to Hürriyet, Tuğrul Biltekin, Turkey's Consul-General in Salonika, disputed the reports, stressing that Turkish authorities are informed that the call might have come from Bulgaria at 10.00 a.m. on Jan. 23.

"They called the Greek emergency line to say that they are 12 people, Turks and Bulgarians," Biltekin said Jan. 24.

The 30-kilometer wide area aroun the Pierian Mountains have been searched by three helicopters, but nobody could be found, Turkish diplomat added.

The missing mountain climbers are now expected to be searched for in Bulgaria, which lies hundreds of kilometers away from the Pierian Mountains.