Greece in grips of a heatwave as tourist hotspots shut | World | News

Greece has shut several tourist hotspots and schools across Athens as the first heatwave of the summer hit the country. 

Temperature levels were reportedly tipped to hit highs up 43C (109F) on Wednesday and Thursday in parts of the Mediterranean country.

According to the meteorologists, the high temperatures are being driven by southerly winds bringing hot air and dust from North Africa.

As a consequence, the Acropolis, which welcomes four million visitors last year, closed from 9am to 2pm (GMT) on Wednesday due to life-threatening temperatures.

Red Cross medics distributed water bottles to tourists, and primary schools and nurseries in southern parts of the country remained closed until Friday, when cooler weather was expected.

City authorities announced a temporary halt to rubbish collection and the opening of seven air-conditioned spaces for public use. 

Drones equipped with thermal cameras were also deployed in Athens to coordinate public health responses.

In addition, on Wednesday in Athens, firefighters battled a blaze at a cookware factory in the northern suburb of Kifisia. 

Fourteen fire trucks and 42 firefighters responded to the incident, with residents in nearby areas advised to stay indoors as a precaution.

The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.

This heatwave is the latest in a series of unprecedented weather events for Greece, one of Europe’s most climate-affected countries. 

Last August, Greece experienced its largest wildfire in 23 years at Dadia National Park in Evros, following wildfires on the island of Rhodes just a month earlier. 

In total, 28 people lost their lives and more than 80 blazes were recorded.

Greece also endured its hottest winter on record, further exacerbating conditions conducive to wildfires this year. 

One such fire occurred in northern Athens this March.