Workers stopped doing stuff outside and tourists looked for shade on Tuesday as Greece struggled with its third heat wave of the summer. High temperature swept across the Balkan region, causing forest fires in Albania.
Located at the southernmost tip of Europe, Greece, which attracts tens of millions of tourists every year, has always been known for its hot, dry summers. But in recent years, climate change has led to longer and more intense heat waves, as well as devastating floods and forest fires.
Couriers, food delivery drivers and construction workers in the wider areas of the Greek capital Athens and other regions were ordered to suspend work from midday until 5 p.m. as temperatures were expected to rise to 43 degrees Celsius, the Ministry of Labour said. Workers with health problems were advised to work remotely to avoid heat stress.
Tourists in Athens, one of Europe’s most densely populated capitals, located on a plain surrounded by mountains, sought out air-conditioned restaurants and shops, with some saying they were staying indoors during the middle of the day.
Acropolis closure and regional impact
The authorities announced that the Acropolis, located on a rocky hill with almost no shade and Greece’s most visited ancient monument, would be closed for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, as is customary when temperatures rise sharply.
According to the Greek meteorological service, the abnormal heat will continue until Sunday.
On Tuesday, the sweltering heat also spread to neighbouring Bulgaria, whose authorities called on businesses to distribute water and reduce physical labour during the hours of increased risk. In Montenegro, major roads were congested as many rushed to the beaches to escape the heat.
In Albania, firefighters, assisted by four planes from Italy and Greece, battled two forest fires in a national park in the north of the country and near the village of Dukat in the south-west. Last month, much of Western Europe was hit by another heat wave, which led to numerous casualties and caused forest fires and health alerts across the region.
