The body of a 55-year-old American tourist was discovered on Sunday June 16, 2024 on the island of Corfu, bringing to three the number of foreign tourists found dead in Greece in one week, while searches were underway to find three other foreign tourists on other Greek islands, according to the country’s media.
Most of these tourists had undertaken hikes under the blazing sun, while the heatwave was raging in Greece, specifies Agence France Presse (AFP).
Third macabre discovery in a week
The American’s body was discovered at sea, near the port of Mathraki, by a tourist. He must be transferred to Corfu hospital for an autopsy, the Greek agency said Athens News Agency and public television ERT.
According to Athens News Agency, the man, believed to be 55 years old, was on vacation in Mathraki. He was reportedly last seen by island residents in a cafe last Tuesday.
This is the latest discovery of the body of a foreign tourist, after that of British television star doctor Michael Mosley, found dead on June 9 on the Greek island of Symi in the Aegean Sea and then that, on Saturday, of a Dutch tourist on the island of Samos. Two French women are also missing on the island of Sikinos and another tourist on the island of Amorgos.
Walkers affected by high heat
The body of the 74-year-old Dutch tourist was spotted on Saturday morning on the island of Samos by a fire brigade drone, lying in a ravine a few hundred meters from where he was last seen last Sunday , walking with difficulty.
On June 9, British journalist and doctor Michael Mosley, known for his appearances on flagship British television shows, was found dead on the island of Symi, several days after his disappearance on June 4.
His lifeless body was spotted by a crew from Greek public broadcaster ERT who were filming the area where the 67-year-old man had disappeared. Michael Mosley had taken a walk on the coast, in the heat of the day.
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Two French women missing
On Friday, two French women were reported missing from Sikinos, a small Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea. The two women, aged 73 and 64, had left their respective hotels to meet, according to local media.
According to meteorologists, Greece experienced the heatwave lasting at least three days – which for Greece means temperatures exceeding 38 degrees – the earliest on record.
