Mummified human remains were discovered in a forested area of Halkidiki, one of Greece's most popular summer destinations.
The remains were found on Thursday afternoon near the small settlement of Perseas, between Glarokavos and the former Xenia hotel in Paliouri, on the Kassandra peninsula. The area, known for its beaches and holiday villas, draws thousands of Greek and international visitors each year.
Police initially believed they were dealing with scattered human limbs; however, authorities later clarified that the remains belonged to a single body. According to the latest information from police sources, the body, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found with the skull present, though some limbs may be missing.
The body was discovered by workers carrying out forest-clearance work ordered by the forestry service ahead of the fire season. A forensic pathologist visited the scene to examine the remains. A full forensic examination, scheduled for Friday, is expected to shed further light on the macabre case.
Giorgos Tsirkoudis, president of the Pefkochori municipal community in the Kassandra municipality, was among the first on the scene. "If clearing works had not been taking place in the forest, the suitcase of horror would never have been found," he told Voria. He explained that the suitcase had likely been hidden in bushes or branches and was only exposed when machinery entered the area.
Inside and around a red suitcase were a blanket, apparently stained dark by decomposition, and several large black-and-blue refuse bags. Tsirkoudis believes the bags were originally inside the suitcase and were scattered when it was torn open by the machinery. "We saw a section of the body headless, only the torso. It probably belonged to a woman," he added, noting clothing with what appeared to be female sleeves and part of a skirt. "It was a shocking sight, the images will not leave my mind," Tsirkoudis said.
The remains have been collected and will be transferred to the forensic service in Diavata, near Thessaloniki, where specialists will attempt to determine the time and cause of death and establish the victim's identity through further analysis. A post-mortem examination in Thessaloniki is expected to shed light on the time and cause of death, while police are checking missing persons records.
