Heat wave: Dutch tourists die during the Hajj in Mecca, and on the Greek island of Crete

A 55-year-old Dutchman was found dead in his car on the Greek island of Crete. The cause of his death is still being investigated, but the authorities think he became unwell in the heat. A Dutch woman also died in the heat in Mecca during the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

According to RTL Nieuws, the Dutch tourist in Crete was found dead in his car, which was hanging over the edge of a cliff near the village of Koutsounari. Local media reported that firefighters struggled to recover the car without pushing it off the cliff.

The police are investigating what happened. They don’t think the man had a traffic accident but expect he became unwell in the heat. Reports say he had tried to open his door before succumbing.

Greece is experiencing a heatwave. According to the emergency services, several tourists have recently succumbed to the heat.

Saudi Arabia is also suffering under very high temperatures, which have proved fatal for many Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca. Maximums have climbed to 51 degrees this past week. According to news agency AFP, at least 922 people have died.

A Dutch woman is among the hundreds of victims, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to De Gelderlander. The Ministry is offering her family consular assistance, the spokesperson said.