Greece is facing another day of heatwave. Temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius have forced some archaeological sites to close again, as well as the popular National Garden in Athens, while firefighters are battling fires in various regions of the country.
According to forecasts, temperatures will reach 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday in central Greece, in the eastern part of the Peloponnese Peninsula and on the island of Euboea. The previous day it exceeded this limit, and by a lot. In the city of Kalamata in the southwestern Peloponnese, almost 42 degrees Celsius was recorded. In Athens it was 36 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological services predict that high temperatures, exceeding 40 degrees in some parts of the country, will persist at least until Monday.
Closed tourist facilities
Due to the heatwave over the weekend, the opening hours of some archaeological sites have been changed. Selected sites are closed to visitors during the hottest part of the day, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced. The Acropolis, among other sites, has already been temporarily closed during the previous days of the week.
The capital's authorities also announced on Friday the closure of the National Garden in the city centre, a popular tourist attraction, due to the serious risk of fire caused by high temperatures and strong winds.
Heat in AthensPAP/EPA/GEORGE VITSARAS
Fires break out, children's camp evacuated
Dozens of firefighters are battling a forest fire in Messinia, southwest Peloponnese. A children's camp in Erythres, West Attica, was evacuated Friday as a precaution due to a nearby fire. In northern Greece, lightning killed nine cows and caused fires.
The services issued a second-degree fire warning on Saturday for Attica and parts of the Peloponnese and Central Greece. Residents should refrain from activities that could ignite a fire. Patrols are being carried out, including using drones.
PAP, .ekathimerini.com, wetteronline.de
Main image source: PAP/EPA/GEORGE VITSARAS