2023-07-14 14:46:00
Large parts of Europe are groaning under a heat wave. More than 40 degrees Celsius are expected in the coming days. Some archaeological sites have been temporarily closed – including the Acropolis in Athens.
In most regions of central and southern Greece as well as on the holiday island of Cyprus, the thermometers showed more than 40 degrees today. In large parts of Greece, temperatures of well over 40 degrees Celsius are expected on Saturday – in Central Greece up to 44 degrees Celsius, as the Meteorological Office announced.
Acropolis temporarily closes
To protect local workers and tourists, the Ministry of Culture ordered the Acropolis to be temporarily closed in the followingnoon. “It is very likely that we will take a similar approach on Saturday,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a television interview. On the Acropolis, “the temperature felt by the body is significantly higher,” said the Ministry of Culture.
Tourists cool off from a water cooler during their visit to the Parthenon Temple on the Acropolis Hill on this hot day
As early as Thursday, the Red Cross was at the foot of the 2,500-year-old monument to distribute up to 30,000 water bottles and to help tourists who might suffer sunstroke or faint due to the heat.
Greek civil servants are required to protect themselves from the heat and work from home. In addition, the Ministry of Labor ordered that the employees of delivery services such as pizza services may only start work following 5 p.m.
Heat wave in large parts of Europe
The European Space Agency ESA warned that the heat wave would also affect Germany and Poland in addition to Greece, Italy, Spain and France. 48 degrees might be reached on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia – “potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe,” said the ESA.
On the holiday island of Cyprus, the thermometer showed more than 40 degrees on Friday. In Italy, TV ads have urged people to check on elderly loved ones and watch out for their pets. There is no relief in sight. The current heat wave “Cerbero” will be replaced by “Caronte” from next week, which according to the meteorologists will be even hotter.
In the capital Rome, for example, temperatures of over 40 degrees are expected at the beginning of the week, according to the Air Force weather service. Temperatures can also climb up to 40 degrees in other cities such as Florence, Bologna and Perugia. In parts of Sardinia up to 47 degrees might then be reached, in Sicily even 48 degrees.
A tourist cools his head at a public fountain in Rome’s Piazza Venezia.
Fires and floods in Turkey
In Turkey, emergency services were dealing with fires and floods at the same time: three people died in floods on the Black Sea coast, and 600 firefighters and 26 fire-fighting planes and helicopters fought a forest fire in the Milas region in the south-west of the country.
The heat wave is expected to last throughout southern and south-eastern Europe over the coming days with minor fluctuations. North winds will also set in from Sunday. Because of the extreme drought, the risk of forest fires will then be high, said the Greek civil defense.
Rising temperatures also in Germany
Heat is also announced in parts of Germany on Saturday: According to the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures in the eastern half and in the south will rise to 30 to 37 degrees. In the northwest and west it will remain a little less warm at 24 to 29 degrees – but showers and thunderstorms are expected here. On Sunday, the air is expected to get cooler in large parts of the country.
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