Missing Brits in European holiday hotspots have been a horrifically common theme in the news this summer.
Multiple stories about people, often young men, who have vanished for a period in hot weather favourites have been a regular sight in the nation’s news outlets, and while many have been found, some have ended in tragedy. The most recent in this list is Kris Finney, 31, who flew out to Spanish island Tenerife on Thursday, October 31, but who remained missing until today (November 4).
He has been found safe, but had been missing for four days, having made a phone call to his family just hours before he vanished. The man, from Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester, had been travelling out to meet friends, and had called family to say he had arrived but warned his phone battery was running low.
(Image: Family Handout/LBT Global/PA)
Jay Slater
The disappearance of Jay Slater shocked the nation, blowing up into one of the biggest stories of the year. The tragic apprentice had vanished after a night of partying on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Appalling social media speculation and armchair sleuthing quickly took over, as police launched massive manhunts to try and find the Lancashire lad. For a little under a month, the search covered the rolling, hostile terrain until on July 15, a body was finally found.
Dr Michael Mosley
Beloved health expert Michael Mosley went missing while on holiday with his wife in Agia Marina, Symi, Greece. The journalist, who had made a name for himself through pioneering diet research and reporting, went for a walk back to Symi, where he was staying.
But four days later, on June 9, his body was found on a rocky slope, with investigators understood to believe he took a wrong turn and an initial post-mortem reporting that he died from natural causes in the hot weather.
(Image: Facebook)
Michael Frison
Chard man Michael Firson was reported missing in Sardinia after going for a walk in the Luras region of the Italian island. The Somerset native has been missing since July, with his mother putting out pleas for him “not to be afraid” and to “approach someone for help”.
A Facebook group supporting and sharing information for Michael is online and active with people asking for updates on the efforts to bring him home. In a post on that group, a concerned member asked for updates, to which Michael’s mother, Cristina Pittalis, said: “Unfortunately, no. I’m still looking for Michael, I’m still travelling from the UK to Sardinia, every week, and I’m still seeking support from the authorities!”
(Image: Men Media)
Ben Ross
British trainee barrister Ben Ross went missing in Majorca during the summer, sparking his mother to travel out to the island to find him. The 26-year-old from Golbourne, Greater Manchester, was later found on July 22, 12 days after he was first reported missing.
But as per the Express, Ben was later reported missing again by his mother since, with little having been reported further on the matter. The Daily Star has reached out to Ben’s family.