Israeli Hiker Missing in Greece for 12 Days, Family Launches Urgent Fundraising Campaign

Ami Yogev, a 46-year-old man from Modi'in, has been missing in Greece for nearly two weeks. Contact with Yogev, who was hiking Mount Olympus to fulfill a dream, was lost on September 20. Disturbing evidence suggests he may have been injured during his climb and is unable to call for help. He last communicated with his mother on the morning of his disappearance, stating he was heading to the summit, and later sent a message indicating he had reached a cabin. His rented car was found at the foot of the mountain, where a severe storm with heavy rain and fog had been raging.

A specialized search and rescue team from the company "Magnus," in cooperation with local police, firefighters, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and volunteers, has been operating in the area. Using drones and advanced technology, the teams have narrowed down the search to two key locations, aided by a local guide who met Yogev before he went missing. The challenging weather and rocky terrain are compounded by a significant financial burden, as Yogev did not have travel insurance covering rescue operations. Daily search costs are in the tens of thousands of shekels.

To prevent the suspension of the search, Yogev's family has launched an urgent crowdfunding campaign. "Every passing day is critical to Ami's life," the family stated. "We need the public's help to continue operating the teams in the field and not stop until we bring him home." The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Israel's consul in Athens and the department for Israelis in distress abroad have been in contact with local authorities since the incident. They are working continuously to assist in the search efforts, which are currently ongoing with full force.