A quiet Greek island turned into a scene of tragedy as an American tourist was found dead on Mathraki Island on Sunday, in what has become a worrying trend for tourists in Greece this summer. Authorities are now frantically searching for three more missing tourists across different Greek islands.
The unidentified American man was discovered on a secluded beach near Mathraki’s old port by another tourist. He had been reported missing since Thursday, last seen enjoying an evening at a local tavern with two female companions who later left the island. The man was staying with a Greek-American friend who grew concerned after finding the home open, with lights and air conditioning on, but no sign of his guest or his belongings.
Mathraki, a tiny island with a population of just around 100, doesn’t have its own police station or coast guard. Law enforcement from the nearby island of Corfu were brought in to investigate. A coroner is expected to arrive to initiate a preliminary investigation, and the body will be transported to Corfu for an autopsy.
This marks the third tourist death on Greek islands in recent weeks. British TV personality Dr. Michael Mosley was found dead on the island of Symi last week, succumbing to complications during a solo hike in extreme heat and challenging terrain. Additionally, a 74-year-old Dutch tourist was found facedown in a ravine on Samos after being reported missing during a strenuous walk in the heat.
Authorities are now focusing their efforts on finding three other missing tourists:
- Albert Calibet (59): A retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy from California, last seen on the island of Amorgos after heading out for a hike. His girlfriend reported him missing on Tuesday after he failed to return and sent a picture from the trailhead earlier in the day.
- Two French Tourists (73 & 64): These tourists were last seen leaving their hotels on the small island of Sikinos in the Aegean Sea on Friday.
