After a month-long search, 21-year-old German tourist Johan, who went missing in Chania, was discovered deceased in a rugged section of the Samaria Gorge.
The tragic find brings closure to a desperate effort by authorities and his family to locate him.
Mountaineers spotted Johan’s body on Friday morning near the “Mitato tou Tzatzimou” on Gigilos, a treacherous and hard-to-reach area of the gorge. The young man had vanished on 13 February after driving a rented car to Xyloskalo, a spot near the gorge’s entrance, during his holiday in Crete. His disappearance was reported by the car rental owner, triggering an immediate search operation.
For weeks, rescue teams battled harsh weather and the steep Gigilos slopes to find Johan. His sister’s emotional plea for help on social media, widely shared by users eager to assist, kept hope alive—until today’s grim discovery. A Fire Service team from Anopoli, now aware of his exact location, is preparing to recover his body from the perilous terrain.
The loss of Johan, who was enjoying Crete’s beauty, has left a somber mark on the island’s tight-knit community and beyond.