UK tourists in Greece have been warned to “avoid activities in the middle of the day” as heatwaves and wildfires grip the nation.
Greece has warned residents and tourists to be prepared for extreme weather conditions with record-breaking temperatures expected.
Most of the Greek cities will bake at around 42-43C this week with the highest temperatures expected in Thessaloniki at 45C.
The Greek Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, has put the recent heatwave in the southern European hotspot down to the climate crisis.
He said: “People need to understand that climate change is happening and that they need to be very careful. The government minister added: “We have had cases of foreign travellers who lost their lives in Greece.”
Speaking earlier this week, Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that this summer was on course to be “dangerous” as wildfires broke out across the country, including two near the country’s capital Athens.
The threat was so great that authorities reportedly sent messages to some residents asking them to evacuate.
And now Brits who are on holiday in the Greek mainland, like Athens, as well as holiday islands including Kos, Crete, Corfu, Lesbos, Santorini and Rhodes, have been warned to recognise the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke while also avoiding activities in the middle of the day when temperatures are highest.
The British Red Cross has since issued warnings and advice to travellers set to visit heat-battered countries. “Extreme heat can be deadly.” it says. “Studies have reported that 61,000 people died because of Europe’s record-breaking heatwave in 2023.
“And with the effects of climate change, it’s likely heatwaves will become more frequent and intense.”
William Spencer, climate and first aid product manager at the British Red Cross, said: “Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and getting worse because of climate change. Sadly, we have seen cases already this year of the tragic impact high temperatures can have on human life.
“High temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself and we all need to take care to manage the health risks of heat. If you are travelling to a country experiencing extreme heat, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe.”