Local authorities reported on June 17, 2024, that a missing American tourist was found dead on a remote beach on the Greek island of Mathraki. The deceased, identified as 55-year-old Toby Sheets, was discovered by another tourist. This marks the latest in a series of tourist deaths on Greek islands during a severe heatwave.
Sheets, a resident of Floral Park, Long Island, New York, was last sighted on Tuesday, June 11 at a local café with two women who have since departed the island. Upon discovering the open door, switched-on lights, and running air conditioner of their accommodation with Sheets nowhere to be found, his Greek-American host reported him missing on Thursday. His identification and travel documents were also missing.
The small island of Mathraki, west of Corfu and home to approximately 100 inhabitants, is famed for its dense forests. Sheets was discovered on a rocky beach and was transferred to a hospital on Corfu for a post-mortem examination. The medical examiner deduced that Sheets’ body had been in the water for several days and the cause of death was drowning. As the area where his body was found had already been searched, it is believed that the waves washed his body ashore afterward.
Sheets was known as a longtime assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, the noted North American Thoroughbred horse trainer with the highest number of wins, who was inducted into the horse racing Hall of Fame.
The incident was reported by Greek public broadcaster ERT and the Athens News Agency, emphasizing the extreme weather conditions Greece is currently enduring. The country is witnessing its earliest recorded heatwave, with temperatures rising above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This heatwave has led to several deaths and numerous reports of missing individuals.
Greek authorities are advising tourists to take caution, especially when partaking in outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
In the past few weeks, several tourists have died due to the heatwave. A 74-year-old Dutch tourist was found dead in a ravine on the island of Samos after hiking alone. British TV presenter and columnist, Dr. Michael Mosley, also died on the island of Symi after collapsing during a hike. His wife reported that he had taken a wrong turn, which led to his body being concealed from view.
A retired Deputy Sheriff from Los Angeles County, California, Albert Calibet, aged 59, is also among the missing. He was last seen on Amorgos Island, where he embarked on a solo hike during the heatwave. The search for Calibet is still in progress.
Two French women, aged 64 and 73, have also been reported missing on Sikinos island. After leaving their respective hotels, they were supposed to meet but have not been seen since. Rescue teams are tirelessly searching the rugged terrains of these islands, often under harsh heat and challenging landscapes.
Local officials are worried about the safety of tourists who may not fully understand the risks posed by the harsh Greek summer. “There is a common pattern—they all went for a hike amid high temperatures,” stated Petros Vassilakis, a police spokesperson for the Southern Aegean region.
The Greek government is implementing measures to reduce the impact of the heatwave, including closing schools and popular tourist attractions like the Acropolis during the hottest hours. The authorities are also contemplating better strategies to inform tourists about the risks of heat exhaustion and promote safer travel behaviors.
As the search for the missing tourists continues, Greek authorities are striving to ensure the safety of those visiting the region.
