“We found her, but not as everyone had prayed.” With those heartbreaking words, the communities of Kambos and Tsakkistra have paid tribute to Erato Athanasiou following the tragic end to the 11-day search for the 75-year-old.
A post by the Kambos & Tsakkistra community page reflected on the enormous mobilisation by emergency services, volunteers and residents who spent almost two weeks searching for Athanasiou, hoping to bring her home alive to her family.
Her body was found yesterday in a forest area, 11 days after she disappeared.
‘Everyone searched for her as one of their own’
According to the post, Athanasiou, who was from Tsakkistra, was found in the “Aloupofournoi” area, on a forest road between Mavra Stykia and Elikes, near the small church of Panagia ton Elikon.
Two forest firefighters were carrying out scheduled work in the area for the Department of Forests when one of them discovered her body. The necessary procedures followed and her identity was confirmed.
The tribute to Erato Athanasiou recalled how hundreds of people had come together during the previous 11 days, including many who had never met her.
“Every morning they set out with the same wish: to find her alive and return her to the arms of her family,” the page said.
An extensive search across difficult terrain
The search operation covered cliffs, wells, homes and other premises in villages, as well as lakes, dams, streams, trails and particularly inaccessible terrain.
Efforts extended from Gerakies to Stavros tis Psokas, the Panagia ton Elikon area and the surrounding mountainous areas of Kambos and Tsakkistra.
The operation involved Cyprus Police, MMAD, EMAK rescue teams with search dogs, the Cyprus Fire Service, the Department of Forests, the Game and Fauna Service and Cyprus Civil Defence.
Specialist teams from The Cyprus Institute also assisted with drones and other aerial resources.
Organised volunteer groups taking part included the Special Operations Platoon, Atlas Fireteam, the “Dias” Volunteer Team, Blue Heart Cyprus and ETEA.
The community authorities of Kambos and Tsakkistra also contributed, alongside residents with detailed knowledge of the area’s paths and terrain, hunters, the Kambos hunting association “O Prostatis tou Agrinou” and dozens of other volunteers.
‘The ending was not what we had hoped for’
While the search did not have the outcome everyone had prayed for, the community said the scale of the response demonstrated how much strength could come from people pulling together.
Some walked countless kilometres through the mountains. Others provided vehicles, equipment, information, food and water, while many more repeatedly shared appeals for information. Thousands followed the search and hoped for Athanasiou’s safe return.
“The ending was not what we had hoped for. But the enormous mobilisation showed how much strength humanity can create,” the post said.
The community thanked the emergency services, organised groups, local authorities, residents, hunters and volunteers who worked together and continued searching until the very end.
‘From today, Cyprus will remember your name’
The tribute to Erato Athanasiou concluded with condolences to her family, relatives and everyone who loved her, wishing them strength following their loss.
“Farewell, Mrs Erato,” the post said.
It added that the search had brought together not only Kambos and Tsakkistra, but public services, organised groups, volunteers and thousands of people across the island.
“For 11 days, an entire Cyprus spoke your name with anguish… from today, it will remember it with emotion.”
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