Public service Due to extreme heat in Greece: Acropolis closed
The heatwave in Greece shows no signs of abating. All archaeological sites have been closed. Working from home is the order of the day. There is no end in sight to the hot July days - and the risk of fire is increasing.
18.07.2024, 11:55
SDA
A heatwave that has lasted since almost the beginning of July reached a new peak in large parts of Greece on Thursday. As local temperatures are expected to exceed 43 degrees, all archaeological sites will be closed between noon and 5 p.m. local time, the Ministry of Culture announced. The sites affected include Athens' landmark, the Acropolis, and the ancient site of Olympia.
The Civil Defense warned of a high risk of fire in most regions of central and southern Greece. The smallest fire could turn into a major blaze due to the drought and the strong winds currently blowing around the Aegean, said a fire department spokesman on Greek television.
The situation is somewhat better on Crete and the Aegean islands. According to the weather office, the sea breeze is cooling the temperatures there to around 35 degrees.
The Ministry of Labor ordered all delivery services to be suspended during the hot afternoon hours. Work in the construction sector was also suspended at midday for the next five hours. According to the Ministry of Labor, those who can are allowed to work from home. Meteorologists said on the radio that the temperature under the sun could reach more than 60 degrees. This is life-threatening, they said.
Warm air masses have been coming from North Africa for weeks and are causing problems for people in large parts of south-eastern Europe. Even at night, the thermometers in most regions show temperatures of over 30 degrees. Meteorologists cannot say exactly when this constant heat will end. "Maybe at the end of next week", they estimate unanimously on Greek radio.
