European heatwave 2023: Second heatwave Charon to hit Italy as temperatures could break records today – latest news

Disgruntled tourists have bemoaned the temporary closing of the Acropolis in Athens as authorities shut the monument’s gates between noon and early evening amid a heatwave gripping southern Europe.

Red Cross staff handed out bottled water to tourists wilting in long queues hoping to beat the closure and scale the steps up to the gleaming Parthenon temple as temperatures were expected to peak above 40C in the Greek capital.

Some were frustrated at being left in the lurch because they were unaware of Greek authorities’ last-minute announcement of the closure.

“I even bought a 50-euro ticket to skip the line to enter and I couldn’t enter the place,” one man, who did not give his name, told The Associated Press.

Others who beat the closing time, like Sylvia from Colombia, were elated despite the heat, saying she came prepared.

“We have water, we have some ventilators,” she told the AP. “And I think it’s always an amazing experience to be here.”

Red Cross coordinator Ioanna Fotopoulou said paramedics administered first aid to a number of tourists exhibiting symptoms of dehydration and experiencing fainting spells.

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Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly “Cerberus” heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

For travellers contemplating their options, these are the key questions and answers.

As the UK gets prolonged showers – the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days – the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey in the next few days.

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

It was so hot that a heat map that highlights scorching temperatures in red turned even darker – to black.

Temperature records have been broken on most of the continent, including France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, where highs of 40C were recorded again on Wednesday.

Sicily and Sardinia were forecast to be as high as 48C.

Istanbul’s temperature is 33 degrees Celsius, according to weather data.

Authorities warned that citizens over the age of 65, those with blood pressure and chronic diseases should not go out unless necessary.

Greece will shut the ancient Acropolis for a few hours on Friday to protect visitors to one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites from a heatwave enveloping Athens and other countries in southern Europe.

The Acropolis Hill, home to the Parthenon temple that is visited by millions of tourists every year, will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. (0900 GMT-1400 GMT) on Friday, authorities said.

Greece’s meteorological service forecast temperatures peaking at 41 Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit) in Athens by midday, but the mercury on the Acropolis Hill that overlooks the Greek capital is usually higher due to its altitude and lack of shade.

Hellenic Red Cross workers handed out bottles of water to tourists forming long queues, and fanning themselves under the shade of olive trees before the Acropolis entrance, before the famed monument was temporarily closed.

Southern Europe is sweltering under a fierce heatwave, with a warning that temperatures could hit record highs for the continent next week, raising fears about the impact on human health, crops and animals.

A second heatwave is expected to hit Italy next week as Cerberus is swiftly followed by heatwave Cheron, named after the ferryman to the underworld in Greek mythology.

According to La Repubblica, the heat expected this weekend could be trumped by 12C in the following days, particularly for Tuscany and Lazio.

Antonio Sanò , founder of the iLMeteo.it told the Italian publication that Charon may break many heat records.

As the UK gets prolonged showers – the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days – the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey in the next few days.

And in Italy, they could go up to a searing 48.8C, predicted the country’s weather agency, as Wednesday temperatures there stood at 40C again and prompted a red alert warning for 10 cities, including Rome and Florence.

Towns in Croatia were evacuated on Thursday after wildfires tore through the country as a result of the Cerberus heatwave.

Pictures show volunteers trying to put out the blaze in teh coastal town, Grebastica.