Heatwave fatalities rise as Greece warns unprepared tourists
During the June heatwaves, three foreign tourists lost their lives, and two are considered missing. During the day, temperatures in Greece regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, many tourists go outside without appropriate headwear.
Tragic events have occurred during the heat from the beginning of June in Greece. Three foreign tourists lost their lives during hikes, and two remain missing. Rescue services express deep concern that many tourists disregard the extreme conditions prevailing on the Greek islands.
There are growing concerns that foreign tourists do not understand the risks of exerting themselves excessively during the heat - conveyed the Greek Reporter portal.
Missing during hikes
For several days, searches have been ongoing for a 74-year-old Dutch man who went missing during a hike on the island of Samos. Although the official search operation ended on Friday, volunteers and family are still intensely searching for the missing person. Around the same time, a 59-year-old American man went missing during a long hike on the island of Amorgos.
Dimitris Kaladzis, leading the group searching for the Dutch man on Samos, expressed frustration with such missions, emphasizing that these situations are often difficult due to tourists' lack of awareness about the risks and their tendency to stray off designated paths.
"We saw a group of people walking the trail without headwear when the temperature exceeded 41 degrees. It's completely incomprehensible," commented the rescuer.
Three tourists died in Greece
Extremely high temperatures, unfortunately, bring deadly consequences. On June 5, a 67-year-old tourist from the Netherlands died in Crete due to a heart attack. The thermometers showed 40 degrees Celsius at the time. The day after, also in Crete, a 70-year-old tourist from France died while walking on an empty beach.
On Sunday, it was reported the tragic death of 67-year-old British presenter Michael Mosley, whose body was found two days after he went missing during a walk on the island of Symi.
Heatwaves in Greece
Greece, a destination often chosen by the tourists, is experiencing extremely high temperatures this year. When temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, it is recommended to exercise extreme caution and limit outdoor time. It is better to stay in air-conditioned spaces, especially during peak heat hours—12:00 to 4:00 PM.
When going outside, don't forget to prepare accordingly. Use sunscreens with high UV protection, wear hats that shield from direct sunlight, and dress in light, airy clothes made of natural materials like linen. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
