Greece: Temporary Closure of the Acropolis Site to Protect Tourists from Heat Wave

Greek authorities announced that they will close the Acropolis plateau, home to the Parthenon visited by millions of tourists each year, today, Friday, from noon until 5 PM local time (09:00 to 14:00 GMT) due to a severe heat wave. The Hellenic Meteorological Service forecasts that "temperatures in Athens will reach 41 degrees Celsius by noon, and temperatures at the Acropolis, which overlooks the Greek capital, are often higher due to its elevation and lack of shade." Workers from the Greek Red Cross distributed bottles of water to tourists, who formed long queues and used hand fans to cool themselves under the shade of olive trees at the entrance of the Acropolis before the famous landmark temporarily closed its doors. Southern Europe is experiencing a heat wave, with warnings issued about temperatures rising to record levels on the continent next week, raising concerns about the impact on public health, crops, and livestock.