British tourist dies while swimming off Greek island during intense heat

20 July 2024 , 15:12
488     0
British tourist dies while swimming off Greek island during intense heat
British tourist dies while swimming off Greek island during intense heat

A British holidaymaker has died after falling unconscious in extreme temperatures on a popular Greek island.

The tourist, a 66-year-old woman, collapsed while swimming in the sea in Skiathos yesterday afternoon.

She had been staying at a nearby hotel and went to Achladies beach to go for a swim, according to CNN Greece.

But she lost consciousness, reportedly due to the intense heat.

A lifeguard pulled her from the water onto the shore and a private doctor carried out CPR.

Emergency services took her in an ambulance to the Skiathos Health Centre but they were unable to revive her.

She was pronounced dead shortly after noon.

The woman is now expected to be transferred to Volos for an autopsy. 

Temperatures in Skiathos soared to 33°C on Friday after an excessive heat warning was issued by the national meteorological service because of several days of hot weather.

Greek authorities also recently urged tourists to take extra care following a number of recent deaths related to the extreme heat.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said: ‘We appeal to the public to be particularly careful as over the next few days there is a very high risk of the outbreak of serious wildfires. Even one spark can cause a major catastrophe.’

It also comes after a string of British tourist deaths in Greece in recent weeks.

Sophia Martinez

Greece, Deaths, Brits

Read more similar news:

02.02.2023, 15:05 • News
New superyacht virtually invisible with mirrored glass to reflect sky and clouds
12.01.2023, 09:00 • More
One in three Brits already planning a package holiday for this year, study finds
26.01.2023, 10:51 • More
April is one of the best times to visit Greece if you're on a budget
27.01.2023, 14:46 • More
Greece tipped to be most popular holiday hotspot for 2023 for Brits
31.01.2023, 12:56 • More
Top 20 must-haves for 'perfect' summer holiday - including a nearby beach
01.03.2023, 09:37 • News
Harrowing clip shows aftermath of Greek train smash that left at least 40 dead
02.03.2023, 11:01 • News
Protests erupt after train crash tragedy that killed 43 blamed on 'human error'
17.03.2023, 10:19 • News
Inventor of 'the most painful torture device' in history was its first victim
25.04.2023, 13:04 • News
Tourist wedges car in narrow alley after taking wrong turn on Greek island
16.05.2023, 14:44 • News
Brit gran missing in Greece with hopes of finding her 'diminishing by the day'