Retired Bristol University professor mauled to death by stray dogs in Greece

A retired Bristol University academic is believed to have been mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Greece.

The 62-year-old tourist, named locally as Celia Hollingworth, was reported missing after walking back to her accommodation in Maroneia in the northern part of the country.

She had been visiting the nearby Mesimvria archaeological site, near Petrota Beach.

Reports in Greece suggested she tried to contact her relatives in London after being attacked by the pack of wild animals, but lost signal on her phone.

Her mother and brother called local authorities to ask them to locate her, according to ERT Television.

She was last seen by swimmers at 4.30pm on Thursday. Her body was later discovered by police and firefighers at 10.45am on Saturday.

A senior police officer with knowledge of the investigation told The Times: "It was a tragic sight.

“Her body was found shredded to pieces, some of it devoured. Even experienced forensics crews were shocked when they faced the harrowing sight.”

Her family are believed to be travelling to Greece.

Local reports suggested Ms Hollingworth was a former professor at Oxford University, but the university said they were unable to find a record of anyone with her name having worked as a professor at the university.

She had raised money for Greek charities helping Syrian refugees and was an active human rights campaigner, according to The Telegraph.

Authorities in the UK did not dispute the woman's identity.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with Greek Police in relation to a British woman missing in northern Greece since Thursday.

"We are also providing consular assistance to her family.”