Historic site closes temporarily as temperatures hit 42°C and wildfires erupt across Europe
The iconic Acropolis of Athens was forced to close its gates to tourists on Tuesday as Greece continues to reel from an intense summer heatwave pushing temperatures above 42°C (107°F) in some regions. The shutdown, from 1 PM to 5 PM local time, comes as authorities prioritize public safety amidst wildfire warnings and labor protections for outdoor workers.
“The closure was necessary to safeguard both staff and the thousands of visitors who flock to the Acropolis daily,” the Greek Culture Ministry said in a statement.
Rising risks and nationwide alerts
On Tuesday, Athens recorded highs of 38°C, while several regions across Greece were placed under Category 4 wildfire alerts — indicating a very high risk. A Category 5 alert, the highest level, has been issued for Attica, Thessaly, Peloponnese, and Central Greece for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry enforced a five-hour outdoor work stoppage between 12 PM and 5 PM in areas facing the most extreme heat.
Wildfires spreading across Europe
Greece reported 41 wildfires on Monday alone — with 34 quickly contained, but 7 remaining active. The civil protection agency has urged residents to stay alert, as emergency services remain on standby.
Elsewhere in Europe, heat-related devastation continues:
- In Spain’s Catalonia, over 18,000 people were ordered to shelter indoors as wildfires consumed 7,400 acres in Tarragona.
- France saw Marseille Provence airport shut down due to nearby flames, while over 1,000 firefighters battled fires near Narbonne.
- A major motorway linking France and Spain was temporarily closed due to advancing wildfires.
Climate change and future concerns
According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), heatwaves like these are becoming more frequent and more extreme due to human-driven global warming. Experts warn that similar disruptions to infrastructure, tourism, and public health will become a regular summer occurrence if global temperatures continue to rise.
The heatwave is forecast to ease by Thursday, bringing some relief after days of intense heat and widespread fire risk.
Acropolis closes as heatwave grips Greece
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