**Authorities close Greece's Acropolis as dangerous temperatures and wildfires prompt safety interventions amid rising climate challenges.**
**Extreme Heatwave Forces Temporary Closure of Acropolis in Greece**
**Extreme Heatwave Forces Temporary Closure of Acropolis in Greece**
**Record temperatures and wildfire warnings impact iconic site and public safety measures.**
As an intense heatwave grips Greece, the iconic Acropolis in Athens will temporarily close on Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, as announced by the country's culture ministry. Temperatures in some areas are expected to soar to 42°C (107°F), while a Category 4 wildfire warning—indicating very high risk—has been issued for several regions. This comes on the heels of devastating wildfires that have affected other parts of Europe, including France and Spain, following an early summer heatwave.
The decision to alter the monument's opening hours was made following the return of extreme heat on Sunday, and this is not the first time the site has closed due to soaring temperatures; closures occurred last June and in July of the previous year. Ensuring the safety of both visitors and workers was cited as the reason for the temporary shutdown, given that the site attracts tens of thousands of tourists, with an estimated 4.5 million expected in 2024.
Additionally, to further protect manual workers outdoors in the most affected areas, the labor ministry has mandated a five-hour work stoppage on Tuesday between noon and 5:00 PM. The current heatwave is forecasted to persist into Wednesday, with continued highs of 40-42°C projected for southern Greece before the heat begins to subside on Thursday.
On Monday alone, the Greek fire service reported that 41 wildfires erupted across the country. Though 34 were contained relatively quickly, seven remained active into the evening. The civil protection agency has warned the public to stay vigilant as emergency services remain on high alert.
In neighboring countries, France is also grappling with intense heat, where over 1,000 firefighters are engaging in efforts against wildfires in the southwestern region. Evacuations have occurred near Narbonne, and major thoroughfares linking France and Spain have been affected. Catalonia is similarly challenged, with over 2,000 residents under lockdown as a wildfire persists in Tarragona.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores that such heatwaves are becoming more common and intense due to climate change, projecting that extreme weather events like these will increase as global temperatures rise.
The decision to alter the monument's opening hours was made following the return of extreme heat on Sunday, and this is not the first time the site has closed due to soaring temperatures; closures occurred last June and in July of the previous year. Ensuring the safety of both visitors and workers was cited as the reason for the temporary shutdown, given that the site attracts tens of thousands of tourists, with an estimated 4.5 million expected in 2024.
Additionally, to further protect manual workers outdoors in the most affected areas, the labor ministry has mandated a five-hour work stoppage on Tuesday between noon and 5:00 PM. The current heatwave is forecasted to persist into Wednesday, with continued highs of 40-42°C projected for southern Greece before the heat begins to subside on Thursday.
On Monday alone, the Greek fire service reported that 41 wildfires erupted across the country. Though 34 were contained relatively quickly, seven remained active into the evening. The civil protection agency has warned the public to stay vigilant as emergency services remain on high alert.
In neighboring countries, France is also grappling with intense heat, where over 1,000 firefighters are engaging in efforts against wildfires in the southwestern region. Evacuations have occurred near Narbonne, and major thoroughfares linking France and Spain have been affected. Catalonia is similarly challenged, with over 2,000 residents under lockdown as a wildfire persists in Tarragona.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores that such heatwaves are becoming more common and intense due to climate change, projecting that extreme weather events like these will increase as global temperatures rise.
