The government searched for two unusual climbers just a few days after a British health journalist was found dead on the island of Symi after going for a walk in the scorching heat, prompting a little quarantine for two days in Greece starting on Wednesday, with some schools shut and the Acropolis restricting visiting hours.
The Health Ministry issued a warning to older people and those with serious illnesses to stay home as a result of the onset of sweltering heat, which meteorologists predicted would set a report on Thursday. Additionally, the authorities cautioned everyone who works outdoors against engaging in strenuous exercise between noon and 5 p.m.
Temperatures were forecast to reach 41 Celsius, or 105.8 Fahrenheit, in Athens on Wednesday and rise to 42 Celsius ( 107.6 Fahrenheit ) on Thursday before dipping on Friday, according to Greece’s National Meteorological Service. On the other side of the Greek island, the temperature was forecast to be 43 degrees Fahrenheit.
After a disastrous summer next year, when more than 20 people died in Greece and large areas of forestland were destroyed, the tinderbox conditions also raised fears about fire. This week, Greece’s legal protection authority and the army conducted 24-hour patrols of big forests to stop fires from igniting.
Scientists have warned that Europe is on the verge of another searing summer. Some Grecian businesses that rely on tourism were hurt by the heat and fire of last summer, but the nation still generated record tourism revenue for the year nevertheless. While many people are also visiting the Mediterranean island this time, individuals are choosing to travel to cooler Northern European nations.
Not to mention that Europe is the only country to experience surging temperatures before the summertime begins. New Delhi recorded its highest temperature ever last month, which was 126 degrees Celsius, or 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit, and places like Miami have experienced intense heat in recent months.
On Wednesday, Hellenic Red Cross volunteers were handing out bottles of water and sunscreen to the poor in northern Athens, and city officials were set up several air-conditioned areas to chill out in.
Additionally, the Health Ministry distributed notices with advice for the general public on how to handle heat stroke victims, including moving them into amazing areas and applying ice packs to the neck and armpits.
The Acropolis, Greece’s most visited archaeological site, was closed from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday due to the oppressive weather conditions, which caused a fresh visitor to faint while waiting in line for the memorial on Tuesday as the temperature rose.
Identical restrictions on the site were put in place last year by the Culture Ministry to safeguard both visitors and staff, but not until July.
The severe heat has heightened worries about the death of two unusual citizens who have recently vanished from two Greek islands as the temperatures rise. A 74-year-old Dutch visitor went on a hike in Samos on Sunday morning, and the specialists are looking for a 59-year-old two citizen of the United States and France who has been missing on Amorgos since Tuesday night.
On Sunday, the remains of Michael Mosley, a 67- year- ancient English television reporter, were found on the Greek isle of Symi four days after he went missing while out for a walk. According to a police representative, who claimed biochemical tests were pending, an initial post-mortem assessment ruled out foul play and appeared to level to dying from natural causes.
” Hikers go missing every year, and we usually find them safe and well”, said Constantina Dimoglidou, the police spokeswoman. ” I do n’t know what’s going on this year”.
According to Ms. Dimoglidou, the search efforts were also hampered by the extreme heat. She claimed that the police sniffer dog had to be taken from the sun every hour to cool off and protect its paws from burns while searching for Mr. Mosley.
The 74-year-old man on Samos was particularly concerned on Wednesday. Ms. Dimoglidou said that the Dutch tourist’s cellphone was switched off.
The man’s wife reported that he had only a small bottle of water with him when he set out for his walk, according to Dimitris Kalaitzis, a member of the local chapter of the Hellenic Rescue Team. The route the 74- year- old is believed to have taken in southwestern Samos was “arduous”, Mr. Kalaitzis said.
Greece Closes Schools and Acropolis as Possible Record Heat Is Forecast appeared first on The New York Times.
