Greece: tourists and locals suffocate under scorching temperatures

In the center of Athens (Greece)shade is a rare and precious commodity. It was 39°C in the morning of THURSDAY July 13, and up to 44°C are expected for the next two days. At the foot of the Acropolis, dehydrated tourists were evacuated by ambulance. The authorities plan to close access to the site during the hottest hours. “We get up early in the morning to visit. Because we know that from 10 am it is very difficult to stay outside“says a tourist.

Change in public and private sector opening hours

Everyone protects themselves as they can: under an umbrella, in the shelter of a fan or in the shelter of a park bench. The heat wave in the Mediterranean is expected to affect Greece for six days. Hospitals are on alert, and civil protection is making passers-by aware of the risks of prolonged exposure to heat. “We will distribute at least 30,000 50 cl bottles of water“, says Antonios Avgerinosthe president of the Hellenic Red Cross. The Greek state is also considering the option of changing the opening hours of the public and private sectors. According to the United Nations, last week was the hottest on record anywhere in the world.