In the midst of a scorching heat wave and soaring temperatures in Greece, three tourists, including one American, have tragically lost their lives, while two others remain missing. The extreme weather conditions have forced authorities to take swift action, closing schools and historical sites across the country.

Local media reported that the body of an American tourist from New York, who had been missing since Tuesday, was discovered on Sunday on the island of Mathraki. Additionally, another body was found on Saturday on the island of Samos, belonging to a Dutch hiker who had been missing for a week. Earlier this month, the body of British television personality Dr. Michael Mosely was found after he disappeared during a walk on the island of Symi.

One individual who is still unaccounted for is Albert Calibet, a 59-year-old retired police officer holding dual U.S.-French citizenship. Calibet had embarked on a solo hiking trip on Tuesday morning on the island of Amorgos. Reports in Greek media also indicate that two French women are currently missing.

Greek rescue operation leader Dimitris Katatzis expressed his concern regarding the lack of awareness among tourists about the risks associated with walking in extreme heat. He recounted an incident where he saw tourists walking a trail without hats in scorching temperatures of 41°C (105.8°F), stating, "It defies logic."

According to meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos, Greece is experiencing extreme temperatures earlier than ever this year. He noted that in the 20th century, a heat wave had never occurred before June 19th, while in the 21st century, several have occurred before June 15th. This heat wave is being regarded as historic.

As a result of the blistering temperatures, Greece's government has issued warnings and temporarily closed tourist attractions, including the iconic Acropolis, due to temperatures in Athens reaching around 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Schools and day care centers have also been shut down, with firefighters on high alert to extinguish any potential fires.

Vassilis Kikilias, Greece's Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, highlighted the challenging fire season ahead due to the combination of the early onset of heat waves and a dry winter.

The extreme heat affecting Greece follows a concerning report from the Copernicus program, a European climate watchdog, which stated that in 2023, the continent experienced a record number of days with "extreme heat stress," where temperatures felt like 114 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Furthermore, the report revealed a 30% increase in heat-related mortality across Europe over the past two decades.

With ongoing efforts to educate tourists about the risks of extreme heat and the continued vigilance of rescue teams, Greece is grappling with the effects of this unprecedented heat wave while striving to ensure the safety of both locals and visitors alike.