In a tragic incident, Christos Stavrianidis, aged 61, met a fatal end while hiking in a forest in Greece after encountering a bear. The chilling footage captured on his phone showed the bear approaching him before he plummeted 2,600 feet down a cliff. His desperate cries for help echoed as the bear closed in, while his companion, Dimitris, witnessed the harrowing event.
Christos and Dimitris, experienced hikers, had ventured into the Fratko forest to explore the wreckage of an old Greek warplane. During their return journey, Christos, standing near the edge of a peak, alerted Dimitris to the bear’s presence, leading to a sudden and tragic confrontation.
Despite Christos’s attempt to fend off the bear with a small spray, the animal charged at him, causing him to fall to his death. Dimitris, shocked by the proximity of the bear, managed to repel the animal with pepper spray, ultimately averting further harm.
Describing the bear as massive and powerful, Dimitris recounted the intense encounter, highlighting the bear’s surprising speed and strength. He also mentioned that Christos had run out of bear spray during the confrontation, emphasizing the ferocity of the animal’s attack.
According to a spokesperson from Greek wildlife organization Arcturos, the bear’s behavior was defensive rather than aggressive, indicating an attempt to ward off perceived threats. The tragic incident resulted in the untimely death of Christos Stavrianidis on June 8, with a forensic report confirming his instantaneous demise from the fall.
The funeral for Christos was held four days after the incident, marking a somber farewell to the avid hiker.
