## British Holidaymaker Still Missing in Greece After Disappearance from Beach
Concerns continue to rise as the search enters its fourth day for a British woman who went missing while holidaying in Greece. Michele Ann Joy Bourda, aged 59, was last seen relaxing on a sunbed at Ofryni beach in the Kavala region on Friday, 1 August. The disappearance has gripped both local residents and international observers, given the circumstances surrounding her vanishing.
According to information provided by the Greek missing persons organisation, Lifeline Hellas, Mrs Bourda was at the beach with her husband at the time of her disappearance. Reports suggest that her husband was asleep beside her when she vanished; upon waking, he found her sunbed abandoned, with all her belongings—including personal items and valuables—still in place. This detail has heightened concern among family, authorities and the public at large, as it suggests she did not leave of her own volition or prepared for an extended absence.
Shortly after Michele was found to be missing, her worried relatives notified authorities, prompting a multi-agency search operation to be launched. The Silver Alert—an emergency warning commonly used in Greece for missing persons thought to be in danger—was issued, as it quickly became apparent that initial efforts to locate her yielded no results.
A statement by Lifeline Hellas underscored the urgency of the matter, stating: “Her life is in danger. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Silver Alert service, available 24 hours a day, on the National SOS Line 1065.” Greek authorities have intensified their search both by land and at sea, demonstrating the gravity with which the disappearance is being taken. Local reports confirm that the Hellenic Coast Guard is actively searching the waters off Ofryni beach, while patrols are combing the surrounding coastal areas. The operation has involved three recreational craft, five fishing boats, and two official patrol vessels.
The search for Mrs Bourda has also extended to include public appeals for information. According to the latest descriptions provided, she is of slender build, stands at 1.73m (approximately 5ft 6in), and has shoulder-length straight blonde hair and hazel eyes. On the day she went missing, she was reportedly attired in a two-piece swimsuit adorned with rhinestones, yellow beach footwear and red sunglasses. Witnesses believe she may have gone swimming around noon on the day of her disappearance.
In a further effort to reach potential witnesses, the British Embassy in Greece posted an announcement on its Facebook page, reiterating key details about the timeline and emphasising the seriousness of the case: “Michele Ann Bourda went missing on 1 August 2025 at Ofryni beach in Kavala. She was last seen wearing a rhinestone-decorated swimsuit, yellow water shoes and red plastic sunglasses. Her life is in danger.”
Michele Bourda is believed to reside in Serres, in the Macedonian region of northern Greece, where she lives with her Greek husband. The proximity of Serres to Kavala has facilitated ongoing collaboration between local police forces as efforts continue.
As the investigation stretches on with no substantive leads, authorities have broadened their searches and continued to appeal to the public for any information that may help trace Michele’s last known movements. Meanwhile, family members remain understandably distraught as hope fades with each passing day.
This incident has prompted renewed concerns about the safety of holidaymakers in popular tourist regions and highlighted the importance of swift response mechanisms in missing persons cases abroad. The international attention surrounding Michele’s case demonstrates both the fragility of travel safety and the vital importance of cross-border cooperation in emergencies.
Greek authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Michele or who has any knowledge about her whereabouts to come forward. The investigation remains ongoing, with local and national services working around the clock to try and solve the troubling mystery of Michele Ann Joy Bourda’s disappearance.