A 66-year-old British tourist died in Greece on Friday after “losing consciousness” while swimming off Skiathos island in the intense heat.
The woman died while swimming near Achladies Beach, a popular vacation resort on the Greek island. She reportedly lost consciousness in the water before being found by a lifeguard.
Subsequently, the woman was given CPR and taken to Skiathos Medical Center seven minutes away from the beach, but medics were not able to save her. According to local media, she has been taken to the coastal city of Volos for an autopsy.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We have offered consular support to the friends of a British woman who has died in Greece.”
An excessive heat warning had been issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service due to several days of high temperatures, and tourists have been urged by authorities to take precautions following a number of deaths caused by the extreme heat.
Greece is in the midst of another prolonged heatwave with temperatures in many areas hovering above 40 on the Celsius scale. A gradual drop in temperatures will begin on Tuesday.
British tourist is the latest foreign victim in Greece
Earlier in July, a 20-year-old South African was found dead by the Coast Guard near the island of Kefalonia in Greece. Benjamin Bezuidenhout went missing after he apparently free-dived into the sea north of the resort of Sami.
Moreover, also at the beginning of July, a British tourist died at sea near a shipwreck in Greece. According to witnesses, the 33-year-old was seen in choppy waters around the Epanomi Shipwreck near the northern city of Thessaloniki.
Lying just off a beach on a nature reserve, the wreck is a popular snorkeling spot due to the crystal clear waters and variety of sea life inhabiting it.
A few weeks ago, a British man died off the Greek island of Spetses. He had been taking part in a yachting regatta.
The man, who was in his forties, was found in a bay area of the island with what appeared to be injuries on the left side of his head, according to the coastguard.
There have been several other cases of tourists who have gone missing or died on Greek islands.
In June, TV medic Dr. Michael Mosley was found dead after going missing on the island of Symi. He had gone for a walk on his own from Saint Nikolas Beach, and his wife said he had “so very nearly made it.”
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