Greece has closed the Acropolis and suspended outdoor work as a severe heatwave pushes temperatures above 40C (104F), triggering fire alerts and weather warnings across the Balkans.
The Ministry of Culture announced the 2,500-year-old Acropolis, a major tourist attraction in Athens, would remain closed until 5pm Tuesday to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
With little shade, the site, which saw 4.5 million visitors in 2024, faces significant risks during extreme heat.
This marks Greece’s second major heatwave since late June, with meteorologists forecasting highs of 42C (107.6F) in some areas and 38C (100.4F) in Athens through Wednesday.
To protect outdoor workers, the Ministry of Labour mandated a work stoppage from noon to 5pm in affected regions, impacting industries like construction and food delivery.
Fire risks are heightened, with civil protection officials issuing high-risk warnings for Attica, central Greece, and the Peloponnese, where the fire service is battling up to 50 blazes daily.
Beyond Greece, the Balkans are grappling with severe weather, including wildfires in Serbia and storms causing power outages and infrastructure damage in Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia.
In Serbia, 620 wildfires were reported Monday, while Croatia saw injuries and flooding from storms.
The heatwave is expected to ease by Thursday, but authorities urge vigilance as emergency services remain on high alert across the region.