The Acropolis in Athens will close for a few hours on Tuesday as Greece endures extreme temperatures, soaring to 42°C (107°F) in some areas. The country’s culture ministry has announced that the site will be inaccessible from 1 PM to 5 PM local time (11 AM to 3 PM BST) due to safety concerns for both workers and visitors, who typically number in the thousands each day.
This closure follows similar disruptions in June and July during periods of excessive heat. With the city expected to reach 38°C on Tuesday, authorities are enforcing a five-hour work stoppage for outdoor laborers in regions facing the most severe heat.
The ongoing heatwave is expected to persist into Wednesday, with a forecasted high of 41°C and a category five wildfire alert issued in Attica, central Greece, the Peloponnese, and Thessaly, indicating an extreme risk of wildfires. A category four warning is in effect for additional areas.
The public has been advised to remain cautious, as emergency services are on standby following reports of 41 active wildfires in Greece on Monday alone, with many being contained early. Meanwhile, Spain and France are experiencing turmoil from wildfires, leading to evacuations and further firefighting efforts amidst rising temperatures and ongoing heatwaves, which are now a more frequent occurrence due to climate change, as highlighted by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Source: www.bbc.com
