A monk walking alone through Crete’s Samaria Gorge lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon, triggering a coordinated rescue operation that involved gorge workers, a military doctor, the Coast Guard and EKAB.
The man, believed to be between 45 and 50 years old, reportedly became unwell and collapsed at the Portes location, about 1.7 kilometers from Agia Roumeli. The circumstances that caused him to lose consciousness have not been reported.
A 1.7-kilometer stretcher carry
Gorge workers responded immediately and placed the unconscious man on a stretcher.
A military doctor from Agia Roumeli reached the location and provided first aid before accompanying the rescue team as they carried the monk approximately 1.7 kilometers through the gorge to the exit at Agia Roumeli.
That distance may not sound particularly dramatic on a map. Carrying an unconscious adult through Samaria Gorge on a stretcher is another matter entirely.
By the time the group reached Agia Roumeli, the Coast Guard had already been alerted.
A Coast Guard vessel took the monk from Agia Roumeli to the Sfakia Health Center, with the military doctor remaining with him during the transfer. Reports said he was still unconscious at that stage.
Ambulance waiting in Sfakia
An EKAB ambulance was waiting at the Sfakia Health Center for the next stage of the transfer.
Following first aid and the necessary medical assessment, the plan was to transport the monk to Chania Hospital for further examinations.
The incident set the available rescue and medical response into motion almost immediately, with the priority of getting the man out of the gorge and into medical care as quickly and safely as possible.
At this stage, there is no information indicating what caused the monk’s collapse, and no further medical details have been reported.
Argophilia takeaway
Monk or not, DON’T HIKE ALONE.
Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder: whether you are a local, a tourist, or a man of the cloth, the Samaria Gorge is no place for solo hikes. When remote terrain turns dangerous, having someone by your side isn’t just helpful but can save your life.
See the video of the rescue from ERT News
