A British tourist was found dead today after being mauled by stray dogs.
The 64-year-old woman was savaged while on a sight-seeing trip to an ancient archaeological site in Maroneia, Greece.
The victim, a retired Oxford University professor, reportedly phoned relatives in the UK on Thursday to tell them she had been attacked. When her frantic family were unable to later get in touch with her, they alerted the Greek authorities.
Reports in the country tonight indicated she had fallen victim to a pack of wild dogs in the area and was found near Petrotas at 10.45am local time (9.45am in the UK) today.
Following a search, her body was moved by an air ambulance to Sismanoglio Hospital, in Komotini.
A source close to the rescue bid said tonight: “It’s an absolute tragedy. The victim was a regular visitor to Greece because she loved the people and the culture.
“Everybody involved in the rescue attempt was left deeply shocked by the scene they found when the woman’s body was discovered.” The economic crisis in Greece is said to have led to a surge in the number of strays.
Animal charities say there are now more than a million, because people have abandoned pets they can no longer afford to keep.
The area where the woman was found is in the north-eastern tip of Greece, close to the border with Turkey. It is known for its archaeological ruins, which make it popular with tourists.
A review of a walking archeology tour in the area on TripAdvisor praised its “magnificent nature, prehistoric and ancient ruins”.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the Mirror: “We are in contact with Greek Police in relation to a British woman missing in northern Greece since Thursday.
"We are also providing consular assistance to her family.”
A report by ERT Television revealed she was last seen by bathers at Petrota Beach at 4.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
The unnamed victim’s family were tonight thought to be travelling to Greece.