A four-year-old boy from Germany died Sunday after falling into a ravine in the Neda Gorge area of western Peloponnese, despite a major rescue operation and airlift to a hospital.
The child was hiking with his parents in the popular gorge, located between the Ilia and Messinia regions, when he and his father reportedly slipped and fell into a steep, remote area.
Firefighters from the Hellenic Fire Service’s special disaster response unit (EMAK) located and retrieved the child.
He was then transported by ambulance to a landing zone, where a military helicopter airlifted him to Kalamata Airport.
Another ambulance rushed him to the hospital, but the child had already lost consciousness and could not be revived.
The boy’s father sustained minor injuries in the fall and is in stable condition. Initial reports indicate the family called the European emergency number 112 for help.
The Neda Gorge, known for its scenic beauty, is a popular hiking destination but also has hazardous paths and remote areas.