There was a spate of tourist deaths in Greece as temperatures hit 43 degrees.
ADVERTISEMENTTourists and visitors to Greece have been warned to not “take unnecessary risks” within the wake of the deaths of Europeans throughout the recent heatwave.
Three tourists were found dead in only one week, more went missing and today a 68-year-old German man was found unresponsive on the Greek island of Crete.
Greece has been hit by its earliest ever heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees. The Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis put this right down to the climate crisis saying, “People need to grasp that climate change is occurring and that they must be very careful”.
Greece’s geography and proximity to Africa are a few of the aspects that make it particularly vulnerable to the results of human-caused climate change. Read more on why Greece is warming so fast.
Don’t ‘underestimate’ the impact of utmost heat
The federal government minister said, “We’ve got had cases of foreign travellers who lost their lives in Greece. They lost their lives because they underestimated the phenomenon [of climate change]”.
He went on to say holidaymakers must be “very careful” while visiting the country because it grapples with soaring temperatures, and to not take “unnecessary risks”.
While tourist attractions resembling the Acropolis regularly close to guard visitors, the tourists who’ve died had mostly gone out walking at the peak of the day’s heat.
Read our guide to expert advice on climbing in hot weather.
Be careful for the signs of warmth stroke
Confusion, difficulty in making decisions and an altered perception of risk are a couple of of the warning signs that you might be affected by the results of warmth.
In line with experts, stepping into the shade or a cool place, drinking water and looking for medical help are the perfect options.
There are particular populations who’re especially in peril during heatwaves. Babies, young children, individuals with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly should take particular care to remain indoors.
See more of Greece’s heatwave within the video above.
