Erato (Toula) Athanasiou, 75, has been missing since Sunday, August 23, 2026, when she left her home in Tsakistra at around 11am. Drones from the Cyprus Institute were also deployed yesterday to help locate her.
New searches are planned for today, Thursday, August 27, 7am to 7pm, in the wider Tsakistra area, with volunteers being asked to strictly follow police instructions because of the rugged terrain and very high temperatures.
According to an announcement on the coordination of the searches, all those taking part in the operation, volunteers and all search bodies, have been asked to report at 7am to the Management Centre in Tsakistra, specifically the “To Stekki tis Tsakkistras” café, from where police will organise teams and give specific instructions on which areas to search.
Particular emphasis is being placed on the need for no one to move alone through the forest, or to stray from the team they have joined.
Increased risk due to temperatures
Organisers of the effort warn that, because of the very high temperatures, the risk of a fire starting is particularly elevated, while the rugged terrain makes the search conditions even more demanding.
For this reason, all participants are asked to fully comply with the instructions of the police and other responsible teams, without any unauthorised movements or actions.
Volunteers are asked to bring an adequate supply of water with them, preferably in a small cool box, to wear long trousers and suitable closed shoes for forest and rugged terrain, and to carry a small backpack with essentials and a spare shirt.
It was also stressed that participants should be in good health, with no conditions that could be worsened by the heat and physical strain.
Those travelling to the area by vehicle are asked to use vehicles suitable for forest terrain, which should only move on police instructions.
“No one moves alone. No one strays from their team,” the announcement states, appealing for strict adherence to the coordination set out by the relevant authorities.
The area the teams have been asked to cover is large and difficult to access, the announcement notes, and anyone able to help safely is asked to join the effort to find Erato.
For information, the Kampos Police Station has published the numbers 22 874556 and 22 820956.
