Greece has closed additional ancient tourist sites in Athens as the first heatwave of the summer stretches into its third day. The renowned Acropolis and other nearby attractions were shut down on Thursday afternoon as temperatures soared towards 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) due to winds from North Africa.
In response to the extreme heat, many primary schools and nurseries across the country have been closed to safeguard students. The heatwave is expected to ease by Saturday.
In Athens, tourists sought relief by cooling off at drinking fountains, while locals gathered in air-conditioned rooms set up by the city, using handheld fans to stay cool. Firefighters, who extinguished several wildfires on Wednesday, remain on high alert as strong winds are anticipated in various parts of the country.
Greece, one of Europe’s most affected countries by global warming, has experienced rising temperatures that fuel deadly fires and erratic rainfall in recent years. Athens, a city of five million residents located in a coastal bowl surrounded by mountains, is among the hottest cities in Europe.
Scientists predict that summer temperatures in Athens could increase by an average of 2 degrees by 2050. In response, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has initiated efforts to create more shade by planting 2,000 trees.
“Our primary goal is to reduce the median temperature, the perceived air temperature,” Doukas told Reuters. “There are areas where the temperature is significantly higher on cement or city roads compared to shaded areas.”
