Greece Heat Wave 2024: Missing Tourists and Deaths Linked to Extreme Summer Temperatures

Heatwaves have arrived in different parts of the northern hemisphere, including Europe, India, Canada, and the United States, as of June 2024. High temperatures and humid conditions struck multiple regions in recent days, resulting in heat-related illnesses and deaths. One of the hard-hit areas is Greece, where a series of dead or missing tourists have been reported since earlier in the month.

The Greece heat wave phenomenon has been linked by scientists as a potential culprit behind the mysterious disappearances of backpacking or holiday-making tourists in the country. The unusual incidents occurred as some recorded temperatures have reached more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They also coincided with the emergence of dangerous, life-threatening wildfires across the peninsula.

The extreme heat in Greece is directly caused by the current northern hemisphere summer season, which annually spans from June to August. In recent years, this period has been associated with deadly heatwaves, high temperatures, and destructive wildland fires. Two years ago, a catastrophic event dubbed "2022 European heatwaves" led to tens of thousands of deaths and widespread evacuations.

Greece Heat Wave 2024

The Greece heat wave event has caused temperatures across the country to soar over the past week, bringing risks to both locals and foreigners looking for the perfect summer getaway. While Greece is an ideal spot for vacation during the current season, it made international headlines recently after at least five tourists have died or gone missing, including some who were hiking amid the extreme heat in the region.

One of the casualties include an American tourist who was found dead on the Greek island of Meraki last weekend. Over a week ago, a different American tourist, named Albert Calibet, from Hermosa Beach mysteriously disappeared while hiking a trail on the Greek island of Amorgos.

Local authorities have not indicated any foul play in the incidents. However, search operations and investigations are ongoing.

Based on recent reports, Calibet is said to be an experienced hiker and a frequent visitor to Amorgos. Amid the extreme heat wave, indications of the American national's missing whereabouts came after he failed to meet a friend for lunch after his hiking activity.

2022 European Heatwaves

A heat wave, also called a heat dome, has been previously linked by scientists to the current climate crisis. Even Greece's heat wave is not exempted from this attribution. For instance, the 2022 European heatwaves have been considered the deadliest weather-related events during the said year.

A 2023 study published in the journal Nature Medicine confirmed the phenomena's heat-related mortality in Europe.

Led by scientists from Spain, the research paper estimated that over 61,000 heat-related deaths were reported in multiple countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, across Europe between May 30 and September 4 of 2022. In the US, hundreds to over a thousand heat-related fatalities were also reported across the Pacific Northwest region at the start of the decade.