Greece's Culture Ministry took the unprecedented step of closing the Acropolis, the country's most iconic cultural site, for several hours on Wednesday due to scorching temperatures. The heat wave, fueled by hot air from Africa, is expected to persist for several more days, with temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit).
Athens residents and tourists were advised to stay indoors during peak hours and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. The Red Cross distributed chilled water to visitors waiting in line to enter the Acropolis, where temperatures were particularly intense.
Neighboring countries like Albania and Italy also grappled with the heat wave, prompting government interventions such as rescheduling work hours and setting up emergency hotlines. In Verona, Italy, public park sprinklers were used to cool down passersby, while in Turkey, firefighters battled wildfires exacerbated by the extreme conditions.
In North Macedonia, a state of emergency was declared to combat wildfires, with neighboring countries sending firefighting aircraft to assist. Meanwhile, Spain braced for temperatures reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in its southern regions.
The heat wave serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change, with authorities urging the public to take precautions and stay safe during this period of extreme weather.
