Dutch tourist found dead on Samos island

The “epidemic” of disappearances and deaths of foreign tourists on the Greek islands continues. On June 17, their number increased to 9 after two French tourists disappeared on the island of Sykonos.

A 74-year-old Dutch tourist who went missing on the island of Samos was found dead on Saturday morning. His body was located in a gorge about 800 meters from Limnionas. Although the search operation officially ended on Thursday evening, rescuers continued their search and used a drone. The man went camping on Sunday June 9 and went missing in very hot weather.

Authorities are looking for two French touristswho went missing on the island of Sikinos on Thursday. The women, aged 73 and 64, were staying at different hotels but are believed to be related. The French women clearly wanted adventure, and they went on a hike around the area without warning anyone about the travel route.

According to ANT1 TV channel, one of the women called the owner of the hotel where she was staying and said that she was not feeling well. Their disappearance became known on Friday. The search operation, which includes firefighters, volunteers, police from neighboring Ios and local authorities including the mayor, is focusing on the paths of the small island.

Sikinos, a secluded island in the Cyclades archipelago, located between Ios and Folegandros, has an area of ​​42.5 sq. km. In Ancient Greece it was known as Oine – the island of wine. It has been inhabited since Neolithic times, as confirmed by finds during excavations in the Episkopi area. There are several ancient ruins on the island. Unlike nearby islands, it is sparsely populated – only 238 inhabitants (2001).

Together with the two French women, the number of dead or missing increased to 9 in June. Common to all the above mentioned disappearances is that they all – tourists who may not be used to the temperatures experienced in Greece in recent days due to the heat wave. Some, ignoring the danger of hot weather, go on independent hikes without warning anyone about their route.

Authorities strongly warn about heat dangers. Amorgos Deputy Mayor for Tourism Popi Despotidi said that the heat could have contributed to Kalibet's disappearance:

“It's unbearably hot on the island these days. We're looking at all possible options.”

An urgent warning for tourists was issued as Greece hit an unusually early heat wave, with temperatures reaching 44.5C in the northwestern Crete city of Chania. According to the national weather service, extreme heat is not surprising for Greece, but no heat waves have been recorded this early in the summer season.

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