Overview
- Local officials confirmed on Monday that 25-year-old Francisco de Paula Expósito was found dead on Mount Olympus during a search operation.
- He went missing on May 19 after sending a last WhatsApp photo to his family while heading toward Mytikas and then failed to use reserved lodging or catch scheduled transport.
- Witnesses say he was hiking alone, a German couple advised him not to continue because of bad weather, and reports indicate he may have lacked proper mountaineering equipment.
- Search efforts were interrupted by adverse weather and at least one rescuer was reported injured, and the family traveled to Greece as local schools and town halls issued condolences and support.
- Authorities have not released a formal cause of death or a timeline for repatriation and experts note that Mytikas is Greece’s highest peak with rapidly changing, hazardous conditions that increase risk for solo climbers.