Israeli Climber Missing on Mount Olympus as Family Faces Rescue Costs
Ami Yogev, 46, from Modiin, has been missing on Mount Olympus in Greece for nearly two weeks. Lacking travel insurance, his family faces mounting rescue costs and launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign.
A desperate search is underway on Mount Olympus in Greece for Ami Yogev, a 46-year-old Israeli from Modiin who has been missing for nearly two weeks. Contact with him was lost on September 20 amid severe weather conditions, and mounting evidence suggests he may have sustained an injury while climbing the challenging peak. Compounding the family's anguish is a severe financial crisis: Yogev traveled without travel insurance, leaving the family to shoulder the exorbitant daily costs of the ongoing rescue operation.
International Search Operations and Drone Deployments
A specialized rescue mission from Magnus International Search and Rescue, operating alongside local Greek police, firefighters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Israeli volunteers, has been combing the treacherous mountain slopes. Utilizing advanced drone technology and local guides, teams have successfully pinpointed the location where Yogev sent his last photograph.
However, rescue efforts are heavily hampered by steep, rocky terrain, dense fog, and heavy rains. Fears for his safety are mounting as information indicates he likely suffered physical trauma, rendering him unable to move or call for help independently.
Public Appeal for Emergency Funding
Because Yogev lacked insurance coverage for search and rescue operations, the massive financial burden—amounting to tens of thousands of shekels daily—has fallen entirely on his family and friends, who have nearly exhausted their resources.
"We need your help to keep the rescue teams in the field and not stop the searches until we find him and bring him home," the family stated in an urgent public plea.
To prevent the cessation of the life-saving operations, the family has launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign, urging the Israeli public to contribute and help sustain the search efforts before it is too late.
