Unrelenting heatwave claims lives of tourists across Greece
24 June 2024 18:16
A wave of unbearable temperatures is taking a deadly toll in Greece. On Monday, Athens police reported finding the body of a 67-year-old German tourist on Crete, who had taken a hike in the mountains on Sunday. This marks the sixth tourist death in June caused by the scorching weather.
The German tourist was hiking alone in the canyon in the Sougia region. During this walk, he called his wife to inform her that he was not feeling well.
A police officer told Reuters that a search and rescue operation was immediately launched, and a particular rescue unit equipped with drones spotted the man's body in the Trypiti canyon. The German tourist could not be saved.
Across the country, several tourist deaths have occurred during the June heatwave. Tourists are particularly vulnerable to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
They want to take advantage of local tourist attractions, even if conditions are unfavourable. Most guests do not want to sit in air-conditioned rooms for hours, even though authorities recommend not going out in the sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Heatwaves in Greece. The majority of fatalities are tourists
Last week, on the Greek island of Mathraki in the Ionian Sea, the body of a 55-year-old American was found. In early June, a Dutch citizen died on the island of Samos in the Aegean Sea.
The body of British TV presenter Michael Mosley was found on June 9 on Symi, another island in the Aegean Sea. Services searched for the man for four days.
Airplanes, drones, and boats were involved in the rescue operation. The presenter went on a solitary walk while the temperature outside was very high.
However, the fate of two French women aged 73 and 64 is unknown. The women went missing on the island of Sikinos. A 59-year-old American police officer who was vacationing on the island of Amorgos is also temporarily considered missing.
High temperatures cause body overheating, dehydration, burns, and heatstroke. They may lead to fainting and loss of consciousness. Solo expeditions under such conditions can be a death sentence. The most vulnerable to heat shock are young children and the elderly.
Hellish heat in Greece is also causing other misfortunes. Hot and dry air has caused many fires, and many people have been forced to leave their homes around Athens.
