Greece has issued an urgent warning to travellers after the deaths of four holidaymakers during a severe heatwave, prompting a UK advisory for those visiting the country.
Authorities set a level three heat alert after three consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 38C, forcing the closure of the Acropolis and other tourist sites.
Greek state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos said: “In the 20th century we never had a heatwave before 19 June. We have had several in the 21st century, but none before 15 June.”
Many primary schools and nurseries across the country were closed to protect students from the heat, which is expected to recede on Saturday.
In Athens, tourists stopped at drinking fountains to cool their heads and necks, while locals sat in air-conditioned rooms set up by the city, using hand-held fans.
The heatwave follows last year’s rising temperatures that fuelled wildfires on Corfu and Rhodes, and floods that damaged crops and livelihoods.
