String of Tourists Missing or Dead on Greek Islands Raises Concerns
ICARO Media Group
In a devastating turn of events, the Greek islands have been struck by a series of incidents involving foreign tourists, with some reported missing and others found dead. The latest tragedy unfolded on the picturesque island of Mathraki, where an American tourist was discovered lifeless on a beach.
Authorities revealed that the remains of the unidentified American were found on Sunday afternoon, near the old port of Mathraki Island. At present, the cause of death remains undisclosed. Investigators mentioned that the man was last seen on Tuesday at a tavern in Mathraki, where he was staying with a friend of Greek American descent.
Alarming circumstances led the friend to contact the police when he returned home on Thursday. The house had been left unlocked, with the lights on and the air conditioning running, but the missing American was nowhere to be found. Additionally, his identification and travel documents were also absent. Due to the absence of a police station or coast guard on Mathraki, law enforcement officers from neighboring Corfu Island were called in to assist in the investigation.
To shed light on the matter, a coroner is expected to conduct a preliminary investigation on the island of Mathraki, before transporting the body to nearby Corfu Island for an autopsy.
This unfortunate incident marks the second occasion in a week where an American tourist has been reported missing on the Greek Isles. On the island of Amorgos, a search is currently underway for a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy. Albert Calibet, aged 59 and hailing from Hermosa Beach, California, went missing after going on a hike. Rescue teams were seen combing the rocky terrain, with drone footage aiding their efforts. Calibet's girlfriend expressed deep concern for his whereabouts, noting that the last contact she had with him was a photo sent on Tuesday morning.
Adding to the growing list of victims, a 74-year-old Dutch tourist was tragically found deceased on the eastern Greek island of Samos. With the aid of a drone, firefighters located the body of the Dutch tourist lying face down in a ravine, approximately 330 yards away from the last known location. Witnesses had reported that the tourist appeared to struggle with the sweltering triple-digit heat that has impacted the region in recent days.
Furthermore, authorities suspect that some of the missing or found tourists had embarked on hikes in severe weather conditions. Notably, on June 9, British TV anchor and author, Dr. Michael Mosley, was discovered dead on the island of Symi. Investigation findings suggested that he had perished around June 5, shortly after venturing onto treacherous rocky terrain.
The string of incidents has raised concerns and prompted authorities to enhance safety measures across the Greek islands. Efforts are being made to ensure the well-being of tourists and prevent further tragic occurrences.