British TV presenter Michael Mosley was found dead on the Greek holiday island of Symi after going missing last week.
His body was discovered on Sunday, which was day five of an extensive land, sea and air search.
The 67-year-old was reported missing on Wednesday, June 5, after going for a walk, with the BBC reporting he died of natural causes.
His wife, Clare Bailey Mosley, has paid tribute to her "wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant" husband.
So, what should you do if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation overseas?
If someone goes missing
If someone you know goes missing abroad and there are concerns for their welfare, contact the nearest police station and submit a report.
Third-party organisations may be able to help trace a missing person.
- A travel agent or hotel/ resort may be able to assist in confirming movements
- An airline should be able to place an alert on their flight reservation and request the person makes contact if they access it
- You can ask mobile phone providers to check activity
Some third-party organisations will not be able to disclose information due to privacy rules and you may need help from local police.
If the person still is not found after enquiries by the local police force, you can contact police in Australia.
The police may lodge a missing persons report with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) if necessary. You may also lodge a report directly with DFAT.
DFAT will only conduct enquiries if there is serious concern for the missing person and they will use Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates to try to locate their whereabouts.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is part of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and may also be able to help.
If someone gets sick
If you get sick while travelling, you may need to see a local doctor or, if it is serious, go to hospital.
You should contact your travel insurer as soon as possible. Most have 24-hour helplines.
Some hospitals will require you to pay your bill up-front, even in an emergency, and you can then ask your travel insurance provider for reimbursement.
Other hospitals will ask for travel insurance details and deal directly with the insurer to pay the bill.
Emergency medical care is expensive, and if you don't pay your bill, you may be arrested, sued or detained in the country until you pay.
It is advised to ask how much treatment will cost before it starts. Some hospitals may inflate the price and expect you to pay it.
If someone dies overseas
If an Australian citizen dies overseas, the local authority will determine the process of dealing with the death.
Next of kin will need to work within the country's local laws and regulations.
The Australian government will not be able to investigate the death, give legal advice or pay for any associated costs.
They can help by:
- Explaining legal and administrative processes in that country
- Providing list of funeral directors and lawyers
- Provide a list of translators
- Give a price estimate for burial, cremation or transport back home
- Provide advice on managing media enquiries
What will insurance cover?
It is important to take out travel insurance before you leave the country, and to declare any existing medical conditions.
Make sure your policy covers you for:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Activities you will be doing
- All destinations you will visit
- Death and repatriation of your remains
If you fall ill or have an accident while you are on holiday and do not have appropriate cover, you will be liable to pay for treatment.
This includes if a pre-existing condition is not declared and you need medical treatment for it.
If you die while you are abroad and are not insured, your next of kin will faces expenses related to your death.
Who do you need to contact?
Emergency consular assistance is available 24 hours a day by calling the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra on:
- 1300 555 135 within Australia
- +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world
If you are overseas, you can find addresses and telephone numbers of Australian embassies, high commissions or consulates online at smartraveller.gov.au.
Is hospital treatment free if it is an emergency?
Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries which provide some emergency care to Australians.
Most agreements usually need a co-payment from the patient and require the care to be medically necessary.
A reciprocal health agreement is not a substitute for travel insurance.
Countries with health agreements are:
- United Kingdom
- New Zealand
- Belgium
- France
- Italy
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Republic of Ireland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
Do you need to pay for repatriation?
There are strict border force regulations on importing someone's remains or ashes to Australia.
A funeral director or customs broker can help assist in the process.
If human remains are being imported for a cremation or burial, they must be accompanied by an official death certificate or a statement from a medical practitioner.
Human ashes must be imported in a specific container and the airline should be notified.
You will need to pay for repatriation.
