A series of tourist deaths have been reported in Greece as temperatures soared to 43 degrees Celsius.
Tourists visiting Greece have been cautioned against taking unnecessary risks following several European tourists’ deaths during the recent heatwave.
In just one week, three tourists were found dead, with more reported missing. Recently, a 68-year-old German man was found unresponsive on the island of Crete.
Greece is experiencing its earliest recorded heatwave, with temperatures peaking at 40 degrees Celsius. Greek Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, attributed this to the climate crisis, stating, “People need to understand that climate change is occurring and that they need to be very careful.” He emphasized not underestimating the impact of extreme heat.
Georgiadis noted, “We’ve had cases of foreign travelers who lost their lives in Greece because they underestimated the climate phenomenon.”
He advised holidaymakers to be extremely cautious amid the country’s rising temperatures and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
While popular tourist sites like the Acropolis often close to safeguard visitors, most of the tourists who died were found to have been out walking during the hottest part of the day. Be aware of heat stroke symptoms,
confusion, difficulty in making decisions, and altered risk perception are some warning signs of heat stroke. Experts recommend seeking shade or a cool place, drinking water, and getting medical assistance as the best courses of action.
Certain groups are especially vulnerable during heatwaves, including babies, young children, people with pre-existing health conditions, and the elderly, who should take extra precautions to stay indoors.