What started as a relaxing beach day in northern Greece has now turned into a frantic search mission for 59-year-old British woman Michele Bourda.
She had been enjoying the sun at Ofrynio Beach near Kavala with her husband when she suddenly went missing—and now, concern is growing by the hour.
Her Husband Woke Up to Find Her Gone
Michele’s Greek husband had reportedly dozed off while the couple were at the beach around noon on Friday.
When he woke up, she had vanished without a trace. In a state of panic, he rushed to a nearby shop to ask if anyone had seen her.
According to the shop owners, he was clearly distressed and told them his wife wasn’t in good health.
He even admitted that Michele had disappeared before and struggled with personal issues.
“He looked worried,” one shopkeeper told Greek outlet Protothema. “He said she had done this before and that she wasn’t well.”
Police and Coast Guard Launch a Search—But It’s Been Paused
Authorities jumped into action quickly.
While local police combed the land, the Hellenic Coast Guard scanned the sea.
Despite their efforts, the central port authority in Kavala announced on Monday night that the focused search and rescue operations had been paused.
To support the effort, a Silver Alert was issued—an emergency system usually reserved for missing seniors with dementia or mental health issues—signalling just how concerned authorities are for her safety.
Eyewitness Claims and Clues Left Behind
There was a possible sighting. A fitness trainer told LBC he saw a woman matching Michele’s description swimming into deeper waters and urged her not to go further.
But it’s unclear whether it was her.
More unsettling was the discovery that her personal belongings were still by her sunbed when she vanished, including beachwear and accessories.
What She Was Last Seen Wearing
At the time she went missing, Michele was wearing a distinctive rhinestone-studded two-piece swimsuit, yellow beach sandals, and red horn-rimmed sunglasses.
She’s described as 5ft 6in tall, slim, with shoulder-length hair and blue eyes.
A Temporary Life in Greece—and a Concerned Community
Michele, a British citizen, had reportedly been staying in Serres, a city in northern Greece.
It’s believed she also maintained a residence in the UK.
Her sudden disappearance has prompted an outpouring of concern, with the Greek missing persons group Lifeline Hellas urging anyone with information to call the 24/7 National SOS Line 1065.
A Disturbing Pattern: Other Tourists Have Also Vanished
Unfortunately, Michele’s case isn’t isolated. Just in June, a 60-year-old British tourist disappeared from the Greek island of Karpathos in scorching 38°C heat.
His rented car was found abandoned, but he hasn’t been seen since June 27.
And over in Spain, a 41-year-old British woman named Jennifer Frances Lacey went missing from the town of Vera on July 28.
Her disappearance was reported by the SOS Missing Persons Association, and she’s still unaccounted for.
Tragedy Strikes in Turkey Too
In a separate but similarly heartbreaking case, a 79-year-old British man went missing during a sightseeing trip to the famous Lycian tombs in southwestern Turkey.
He had set off alone by rowboat from the village of Çandır on July 26—and never returned. After a three-day search, authorities sadly found a body believed to be his.
A Worrying Trend in European Tourist Hotspots
According to The New York Times, at least ten foreign tourists went missing—or were found dead—last year in Greece while out hiking, often in extreme heat.
Whether it’s the weather, health issues, or isolation, these incidents have sparked broader concerns about tourist safety in southern Europe’s popular but sometimes remote travel destinations.
Final Plea for Help
As the search for Michele continues, time is of the essence.
If you’re in Greece and may have seen something—or if you know someone who has—authorities are urging the public to call the Silver Alert line. Her life could depend on it.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said it’s supporting Michele’s family during this deeply worrying time.