Prior to the midday swelter, the Acropolis in Athens announced its temporary closure from 13:00 to 17:00 local time, responding to blistering heat waves affecting Greece. With temperatures projected to reach notable highs of 42°C (107°F), this decision underscores growing concerns regarding heat stress and safety for both visitors and staff.
This latest closure follows a series of extreme heat occurrences in Greece earlier this summer. On the heels of a dangerous heatwave, the country’s culture ministry noted that the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had to adjust its visitor hours. The site, which experiences foot traffic from millions each year, was also shut down multiple times last June and July due to similar heat-related worries.
In response to the oppressive heat, the Greek labour ministry instituted a five-hour work stoppage for outdoor manual workers in regions forecasted to experience extreme conditions on Tuesday. The decision aims to protect those laboring under dire temperature forecasts.
The heatwave's aftereffects are already visible, with the country’s fire service marking 41 wildfires as of Monday. While many were contained, several remained active, prompting authorities to issue a Category 4 wildfire warning across multiple regions, including Attica and the Peloponnese. The civil protection agency has urged residents to stay vigilant, underscoring the precarious nature of the current climate conditions.
This heat event is not isolated, as neighboring countries like France and Spain are tackling similar crises. Thousands were evacuated from southern France as fire crews battled hazardous wildfires, while in Catalonia, over 2,000 individuals faced a lockdown due to a rapidly spreading blaze.
As Europe endures intensified heatwaves attributed to climate change, experts caution that these patterns will only worsen as global temperatures rise. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that heat incidents are becoming not only more frequent but also increasingly severe, underlining the urgent need for climate action and communal preparedness.
This latest closure follows a series of extreme heat occurrences in Greece earlier this summer. On the heels of a dangerous heatwave, the country’s culture ministry noted that the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had to adjust its visitor hours. The site, which experiences foot traffic from millions each year, was also shut down multiple times last June and July due to similar heat-related worries.
In response to the oppressive heat, the Greek labour ministry instituted a five-hour work stoppage for outdoor manual workers in regions forecasted to experience extreme conditions on Tuesday. The decision aims to protect those laboring under dire temperature forecasts.
The heatwave's aftereffects are already visible, with the country’s fire service marking 41 wildfires as of Monday. While many were contained, several remained active, prompting authorities to issue a Category 4 wildfire warning across multiple regions, including Attica and the Peloponnese. The civil protection agency has urged residents to stay vigilant, underscoring the precarious nature of the current climate conditions.
This heat event is not isolated, as neighboring countries like France and Spain are tackling similar crises. Thousands were evacuated from southern France as fire crews battled hazardous wildfires, while in Catalonia, over 2,000 individuals faced a lockdown due to a rapidly spreading blaze.
As Europe endures intensified heatwaves attributed to climate change, experts caution that these patterns will only worsen as global temperatures rise. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that heat incidents are becoming not only more frequent but also increasingly severe, underlining the urgent need for climate action and communal preparedness.
