ATHENS – Tourists dropping dead in the heat on island hikes and blistering temperatures hitting as high as 109-111 degrees has set off alarm in Greece that the heat won’t relent all summer, officials blaming climate change.

Tourists and visitors to Greece have been warned not to “take unnecessary risks” in the wake of the deaths, three dying in just a week, and three still missing on islands, including two French women and Californian Albert Calilbet.

In a review, Euronews noted the concern over the lingering heat that struck earlier than ever and was on a path to make the hottest June ever recorded – and with the cauldron of July and Summer coming and tourists wilting.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/06/24/holidaymakers-in-greece-warned-of-heatwave-risks

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis  said that, “People need to understand that climate change is happening and that they need to be very careful,” even as Greece has had to return to burning coal to generate some of its electrical needs.

Greece’s geography and proximity to Africa are some of the factors that make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of human-caused climate change, the report noted, with Saharan dust settling over the country at times.

He said that, “We have had cases of foreign travelers who lost their lives in Greece. They lost their lives because they underestimated the phenomenon (of climate change)” although critics said not enough was being done to warn tourists of the dangers of hiking and paths on islands not clearly noted.

He went on to say holidaymakers need to be “very careful” while visiting the country as it grapples with soaring temperatures, and to not take “unnecessary risks,” while pursuing more tourists to bring in revenues.

Major tourist attractions and archaeological sites, including the Acropolis – where there’s a daily cap on the number of visitors – have been closed during high heat periods, most of the tourists who died went out hiking, many alone.

The phenomenon has Greek officials worried that in coming years more tourists will choose cooler climates, especially northern Europe, as world governments have done next to nothing to deal with climate change despite the costs.