Greece closes the Acropolis and two firefighters die in Italy

The heat wave in southern Europe has officials worried Greece The Acropolis was closed for several hours on Wednesday and two firefighters died while trying to extinguish a blaze in the area. Basilicatasouth of ItalyItalian authorities reported.

In Italy, officials added Palermo, Sicilyin the list of 13 cities that are at risk of extreme heat. He urged the city’s elders Verona They stayed indoors while they set up sprinklers to cool off passersby.

Greece’s Culture Ministry ordered the Acropolis, the country’s biggest cultural attraction, to close from noon After five hours they opened it again.

Tourists hoping to see the Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis began lining up early in the morning to avoid the heat, while the Red Cross I gave them bottles Cold water and informational pamphlets.

“We made it and we got out quickly, now we’re going to go somewhere with air conditioning and have a drink and enjoy the day,” he said. Toby Dunlopwho was visiting Greece from Pennsylvania and had just left the Acropolis. “But it’s hot out there, really. If you don’t come prepared, you’ll sweat.”

Meteorologists predict that the hot air from Africa will continue until SundayAnd the heat wave will reach its peak with a temperature of 43 degrees Celsius.

In Albania, the heat caused the government to reschedule the working hours of public officials, making it easier for some to work from home. Neighbours Macedoniafrom the north It has been hit by dozens of wildfires in the past 24 hours. The raging fires spread over 30 kilometres (21 miles). Firefighting planes from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania and Turkey responded to the country’s call for help.

In western Türkiye, firefighters were assisted by more than a dozen planes A forest fire near the city of Bergama was brought under control several hours after it broke out – by spraying water. The cause of the fire, which was fanned by strong winds, is currently unknown.

Many Spanish cities, such as Granada and Toledo, They are preparing for temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius in the coming days in the hottest parts of the country in the south.