The current heat wave is the earliest ever recorded and has led to high temperatures and even four deaths. This rude awakening portends an extreme summer and as such an urgent summer warning has been issued to warn tourists about such high temperatures.
With temperatures rising above it 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C) for three consecutive days this has led to the closure of popular tourist sites. Venues in Athens were closed as a level three heat warning was sent to people’s phones asking them to stay at home and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
According to Greek state television meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos, no heat waves have been observed before June 15 in the 21st century and before June 19 in the 20th century. Temperatures even reached a maximum of 112.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C) in Chania, a city on the northwest coast of Crete.
Michael Mosley, the host of Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, was found dead on the island of Symi after collapsing while walking and a Dutch tourist was found dead in Crete on June 5 after collapsing while crossing the Mylon Gorge in Rethymno.
Also on June 5, a 70-year-old French tourist collapsed and died on a beach in Crete, and the fourth death was an 80-year-old tourist found dead near an archaeological site near the northeastern city of Malia.
In addition to the four deaths, there are unfortunately also three missing tourists for whom search teams in Greece are still looking.
Greece is a tourist hotspot in the summer and is usually hot and there can be times when there are intense heat waves, but this one was alarming.
Because heat stroke occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C)it’s important to watch for common symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as headaches, dizziness and cramps.
Similar conditions are expected this summer in other popular European countries such as Italy, Portugal, France and Spain.
