A large-scale search-and-rescue operation is continuing for a British woman who disappeared from a sunbed on a beach in northern Greece. Michele Bourda, 59, was last seen on 1 August at Ofrynio beach near the town of Kavala, prompting a coordinated effort by the Hellenic coastguard, police, and volunteer vessels.
The coastguard, supported by pleasure craft and fishing boats, has been scouring the Strymonian Gulf while police conduct extensive land searches. Bourda was reported missing by her Greek husband after he woke from a nap to find she had gone, leaving her belongings on the adjacent sunbed. She is described as a temporary resident of Serres.
LifeLine Hellas, a Greek missing persons charity, issued a silver alert, which is often used when someone is considered vulnerable due to dementia or other conditions. The charity said Bourda is about 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, and was wearing a swimsuit with decorative stones, yellow water shoes, and red plastic sunglasses. The British embassy in Athens has also appealed for information.
Authorities said no decision had been made by Monday evening about whether to continue the official search on Tuesday. A coastguard official said: 'Hope dies last. Any scenario would be guessing at this point, and it is too early to make any decision.' Even if the coastguard operation halts, land searches and routine patrols would continue.
Bourda's case follows other British nationals missing in Greece this summer. Last month, 60-year-old Jay Arnold disappeared on the island of Karpathos; despite extensive efforts, the search has gone cold. In June, Dr Michael Mosley was found dead five days after going missing on Symi, with an inquest attributing his death to accidental heatstroke. Ofrynio beach, like much of Greece, has experienced record temperatures in recent weeks.
