The scorching heat in Greece led to a two-day mini-lockdown starting Wednesday, with some schools closed and the Acropolis restricted for visitors, and authorities searching for two foreign hikers days earlier. British medical journalist found dead After a walk in the scorching heat, we arrived at Symi Island.
The hot weather, with meteorologists saying temperatures could hit a record high on Thursday, prompted the Health Ministry to issue a warning to the elderly and people with chronic illnesses to stay indoors. Authorities also advised people who work outdoors to avoid strenuous activity between noon and 5 p.m.
Temperatures in Athens are expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius, or 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit, on Wednesday, rising to 42 degrees Celsius on Thursday before falling on Friday, according to Greece’s national meteorological service. Elsewhere on the Greek mainland, temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius.
The powder keg-like situation has also raised concerns about wildfires. Last year’s disastrous summerwhen wildfires killed more than 20 people in Greece and razed large tracts of woodland. Greece’s civil protection department and army carried out 24-hour patrols of major forests this week to prevent fires.
In central Athens on Wednesday, members of the Greek Red Cross distributed bottled water and sunscreen to homeless people, and municipal authorities opened several air-conditioned venues for people to cool off.
The Ministry of Health also issued a notice advising the public on how to treat patients with heat stroke, including moving them to a cooler area and placing ice packs on the neck and armpits.
Scorching temperatures forced authorities to close primary schools in many parts of Greece on Wednesday, while the Acropolis of Athens – Greece’s most visited archaeological site – was closed from noon to 5 p.m. The restricted opening hours were announced after rising temperatures on Tuesday caused a young tourist to faint while queuing to visit the monument.
The Culture Ministry imposed similar restrictions on the site last year to protect workers and tourists, but they were not implemented until July.
As temperatures rise, the hot weather has heightened concerns about the fate of two foreigners who have gone missing on two Greek islands in recent days. A 74-year-old Dutch tourist was last seen on Sunday morning while on a hike on Samos, and authorities are searching for a 59-year-old American-French dual national who has been missing on Amorgos since Tuesday morning.
The body of British TV presenter Michael Mosley, 67, was found on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday, four days after he disappeared while out for a walk. A police spokesman said a preliminary autopsy ruled out foul play and appeared to point to natural death, but toxicology test results have yet to be released.
“Every year hikers go missing and we usually find them and they are safe and sound. I don’t know what happened this year,” said police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou.
Ms Dimoglidu said the extreme heat also made the search difficult. She said police search dogs had to be moved out of the sun every hour during the search for Mosley to cool down and protect their paws from getting burned.
On Wednesday, particular attention was paid to the 74-year-old man on Samos. Ms. Dimoglidou said the Dutch tourist’s phone was switched off.
Dimitris Kalaitzis, a member of the local chapter of the Greek rescue team, said the man’s wife relayed that he had taken only a small bottle of water when he set out on the hike. Mr Kalaitzis said the route the 74-year-old was believed to have taken in southwestern Samos was “very difficult”.
