A MAJOR warning has been issued to Irish holidaymakers travelling to Greece as the country experiences high temperatures.
Irish travel enthusiasts are preparing for their holidays as the summer hits, with Greece being a popular destination for students and families.
3
But the tourist hotspot is experiencing its first heatwave of the summer.
Greek’s weather service has issued an excessive heat warning, which is effective until 8pm on Thursday, June 13.
Temperatures are predicted to soar up to 43C during this period.
A heatwave warning has been given to much of central and southern Greece, including Athens, the Cyclades islands and Crete.
The Greek fire service also warned of a very high wildfire threat in the Southern parts of the country this Friday.
Greek officials have issued a warning to tourists of the rising heat, and are now on high alert for wildfires.
Wildfires plague the tourist hotspot every summer, and these rising temperatures have been the highest recorded this year.
Last year saw some of Greece’s worst wildfires, with 28 people being killed and hundreds more injured.
Most read in The Irish Sun
Over 20,000 people had to be evacuated from places all across the country and many of them were tourists holidaying.
The Greek minister for civil protection Vassilis Kikilias said the week posed a wildfire risk due to the soaring temperatures and strong winds.
He said: “The early start of the heatwaves, combined with the dry winter has led to a very difficult fire season.”
Authorities in Athens are now providing air-conditioned areas for the public.
Temperatures are expected to be cooler in the capital over the weekend.
Sites now shut
They have also closed off some of their most popular landmarks to tourists.
The tourist hotspot Acropolis in Athens has now been closed for the second afternoon due to the rising temperatures.
Greeces most popular ancient site the hilltop citadel will be closed off to tourists from midday to 5pm also.
All other archaeological sites and schools across Athens are set to shut during the same hours for the rest of the week.
Medics are now being stationed in the tourist hotspot in the event of a wildfire over the following days.
College and school exams taking place in the capital are still going ahead said the Greek minister, but students will be given fans to deal with the heat.
3
