Israeli Hiker Missing for a Week on Mount Olympus

Ami Yogev, an Israeli hiker, has been missing for a week after attempting to climb Mount Olympus in Greece. His mother, Shoshana Debi, last communicated with him on September 20th, when he sent photos from the mountain and mentioned sleeping there the previous night and beginning a climb to 2,700 meters. He also told a friend he was enjoying himself but had sprained his ankle.

Debi expressed surprise at her son's decision to climb Olympus, stating he is not an extreme sports enthusiast, is not in peak physical condition, and had no prior plans to hike the mountain when he left Israel. She dismissed speculation that he intended to disappear, saying she would be relieved if that were the case, as long as he was safe, but insisted he is not that type of person and had plans to make music in Athens.

Search efforts are underway, involving Greek police, volunteers, drones, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, coordinated by the Greek consul. A delegation from United Hatzalah, an Israeli volunteer emergency medical service, has joined the search with an Israeli tour guide. Attempts to locate Yogev's phone were unsuccessful due to a depleted battery. His rented car and equipment were found at the base of the mountain.

The family is funding the search efforts themselves, as Yogev did not have travel insurance. They have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to cover the significant costs, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and appealing for donations to bring him home safely.