Extreme heat in Greece - the country warns tourists

 

Greece
Several tourists disappeared in the heat - Greek authorities warn

Ellen Sundstrom

Updated 11.02 | Published 07.36

A tourist drinks water under an umbrella in front of the Acropolis in Athens, during Thursday's heat. Photo: Petros Giannakouris/AP

Several people have disappeared in the Greek heat recently.

Tourists are now being asked to be careful and prepared for the heat.

A major search operation is now underway for ex-sheriff Albert Calibet, 59, who has been missing since Tuesday.

Quick version

• Greece is currently suffering from extreme heat; several people have gotten lost or disappeared during hiking opportunities, also American ex-sheriff Albert Calibet has been missing since Tuesday.
• Local authorities are urging tourists to be more informed and prepared for dangers associated with the heat.
• Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, mayor of the island of Symis, proposes the introduction of cameras and lighting on hiking trails to prevent more accidents.

Greece has had increasingly high temperatures recently, and the mercury reached a whopping 44.5 degrees in Chania on Thursday, writes The Guardian. Red Cross volunteers have distributed thousands of bottles of free water.

Several people have disappeared from hiking trails on the Greek islands in recent weeks, including famous TV doctor Michael Mosley, who was found dead in early June.

Now local authorities are urging tourists to be better informed about the weather conditions and its dangers. Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, mayor of the island of Symis, wants to install cameras and lighting on paths and hiking trails.

"If there's a lesson to be learned from the tragedy [of Mosley's death], it's that these roads need to be looked after better so people don't get lost," he says.

TV doctor Michael Mosley was found dead on a Greek island in early June. Photo: Jimmy Wixtröm

Great search effort

A major search effort is underway to find ex-sheriff Albert Calibet, who was reported missing after he did not return from his hike on the Greek island of Amorgos, writes ABC News. According to the channel, it was extremely hot on the island, with temperatures of over 37 degrees.

The intended trek stretched from the village of Aegiali to Katapola, which is about a four-hour journey on foot. He was last seen at eleven in the morning by other hikers he met on a trail, and a woman who offered water and refreshments.

Since Tuesday, a helicopter from the rescue service has been searching for Albert Calibet in the ravines and other areas that are not for pedestrians. Police have carried out search efforts on the hiking trail several times, and even local people, who know the terrain inside and out, have helped in the search.

Kalliopi Despotidl, mayor of the island, says that Albert Calibet has been coming to the island for over ten years.

- He knows the joints better than I do.

The ex-sheriff's brother and girlfriend landed Friday to help in the search.

- It has been painful, terrible. Walking around confused, worried to death and knowing he's out there somewhere, girlfriend Debbie LaShane told ABC News.

            

       This week, the tourist magnet Acropolis was closed to tourists for a period due to the extreme  heat.