Dutch team on Samos to search for missing Dutch tourist, 65

Four members of a Dutch search team arrived on the Greek island of Samos around noon on Saturday to search for missing Dutch tourist Brigitte van Gennip. The team consists of two drone pilots from the national drone team and two search dog handlers from the MTL Foundation. Initially, a coordinator was also supposed to fly along, but coordination is now carried out by remote control from Schoonhoven, the National Drone Team reports.

The family of the 65-year-old Dutch woman, who has been missing since Thursday, had asked the organizations to come and help on Samos. According to the National Drone Team, the intention is for local volunteers to support the Dutch teams, including with off-road vehicles. "The volunteers help the dog and drone team move through the selected search areas in the vicinity of the historic Eupalinian Aqueduct," according to the Dutch volunteer organization.

My mother has gone missing on Samos, Greece, near Pythagorion (The Tunnel of Eupalinos). No sign of contact since 10:30 am 22th of August. Authorities have been alerted and a search party has been mobilized, however we can use any help we can get pic.twitter.com/HJ9TBJx6Xc

— MalouMiedema (@MalouMiedema) August 22, 2024

The missing woman was last seen hiking around the Eupalinian Aqueduct, a famous Greek ancient site near the town of Pythagorion. However, the Dutch woman never returned to the hotel. Her friends alerted the authorities when they couldn't reach her by phone.

The Rescue Dog Team RHWW also wants to help with the search for Samos. But a spokesperson says suitable transport has not yet been arranged. "We spent the whole day yesterday trying to find a flight that can accommodate eight or four dogs, but unfortunately, we are still working on it."

The Greek authorities are concerned about Van Gennip's chances of survival. The high-temperature has hovered around 35 degrees Celsius on Samos this week. The low temperature early Friday morning was still 27 degrees.

A crowdfunding campaign to fund the deployment of the Dutch search teams had already raised almost 20,000 euros by Saturday noon.