Greece is suffering its second four-day heatwave since late June, which has led to the closure of the city’s biggest attraction, the Acropolis, on Tuesday, July 8, to protect visitors and workers from the sweltering heat.
The Greek Culture Ministry said they had grave safety concerns as temperatures hit 38°C in Athens and peaked at 42°C elsewhere, with similar conditions forecast for Wednesday.
The 2,500-year-old monument, which saw 4.5 million visitors last year (a 15 per cent increase from 2023) offers little shade, heightening risks for the tens of thousands who visit daily. To shield outdoor workers, the Labour Ministry enforced a work stoppage from noon to 5pm across several regions, including islands, impacting on construction deadlines and the work of delivery riders. Greece’s wildfire risk is also elevated, with up to 50 fires reported daily in areas around Athens, central Greece, and the Peloponnese.
Extreme heat gripping Europe turns to extreme storms
Meanwhile, severe storms are wreaking havoc across the Balkans. In Serbia, the National Meteorological Service warned of fire risks after 620 fires were recorded on Monday, July 7, alongs with threats of thunderstorms, hail, and hurricane-force winds in Vojvodina and other regions. Croatia faced similar turmoil, with heavy rain and gale-force winds flooding roads and causing power outages in Split, where a ferry broke free, sinking a tourist boat. In Vinkovci, two people were hospitalised after a storm downed a power line onto a house.
Further north, Hungary and Slovakia have been battling destructive winds. Budapest saw roofs damaged and trees felled, with winds reaching 137 km/h. Because of the winds rail services are set to be disrupted for weeks. In Slovakia, gale-force winds tore off a block of flat’s roof in Gelnica and blocked roads and railways. The Slovak weather service has issued storm warnings, predicting heavy rain, wind, and hail in central and eastern regions.
As southern Europe grapples with this dual onslaught of heat and storms, authorities urge residents and visitors to stay vigilant and take precautions.
