UK holidaymakers issued 'stay indoors' warning as sixth tourist dies on Greek island this month

Jon Macpherson & Liv Clarke

27 June 2024 at 8:44 am·1-min read

Brits jetting off to Greece have been issued a stark warning to be "very careful" as the country grapples with scorching temperatures.

This comes in the wake of several tragic tourist deaths, including that of a German hiker whose body was discovered on the island of Crete earlier this week - marking the sixth tourist fatality in Greece this month alone. BBC and ITV presenter Michael Mosley also tragically lost his life on the Greek island of Symi on June 9.

The Mediterranean nation has been hit by a heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to a sweltering 40C in some regions. As a result, tourist hotspots and schools have had to shut their doors, while health officials are urging people to stay indoors during peak heat hours.

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Adonis Georgiadis, the Greek Minister of Health, has cautioned visitors to avoid taking any unnecessary risks in the extreme heat, according to Euronews.com. He linked the rising temperatures to climate change and warned of the dangers of underestimating its impact.

"We have had cases of foreign travellers who lost their lives in Greece. They lost their lives because they underestimated the phenomenon [of climate change]".

According to Greece’s weather agency the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, temperatures will rise to the late 30s this week in areas including Athens and Crete, the M.E.N reports. Weather maps published by the agency show that much of the country will experience figures between 30-35C, rising to 35-40C in some parts.

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