Greece shut the Acropolis for several hours in the afternoon on Tuesday as the Mediterranean country baked in its second major heatwave of the season, with temperatures set to soar as high as 41°C.
Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region.
In Athens, temperatures were expected to reach 38ºC, forcing authorities to close the Acropolis, its most visited ancient site on a rocky hill offering barely any shade, from 10am to 2pm.
Defying the heat, some tourists visited the monument before it shut.
“It's extremely hot. We had to take extra measures. We have little fans for the children. I have the hat, the glasses. We've been drinking lots of water,” said John Howell, 58, a Scottish tourist.
With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon.
Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyards workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5pm to avoid heat stress, the labour ministry said.
The heatwave conditions will continue until Wednesday, the Greek meteorological service said, and authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale force winds were expected.
Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5ºC above the pre-industrial era for the first time.
Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, including a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.
Reuters
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