- Title: Heatwave causes midday shutdown of Greek archaeological sites
- Date: 12th July 2017
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (JULY 12, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ANCIENT PARTHENON TEMPLE ON ACROPOLIS HILL TOURISTS STANDING OUTSIDE CLOSED GATES OF ACROPOLIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE SIGN ON GATE READING: (Greek and English) "WE INFORM YOU DUE TO HEATWAVE THE OPERATING HOURS WILL BE 08:00-13:00 & 17:00-20:00" VARIOUS OF TOURISTS STANDING OUTSIDE CLOSED GATE (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM THE U.K., ALISON WHITE, SAYING: "It is (hot) for me, I'm not really used to the heat, but I'm coping, and so I came to go up there, but I'll have to come back later or tomorrow." (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM AUSTRALIA, ANTONIS KANELLOPOULOS, SAYING: "I'm disappointed because this is the peak tourism time, I think really, it should be open, I mean tourists come here, spend their money, have a good time and see the ruins. I mean otherwise why'd you come to Greece for? You have the islands and you come here to spend a couple days." FOUNTAIN ON CENTRAL SYNTAGMA SQUARE TOURISTS WETTING THEIR HANDS IN FOUNTAIN ANOTHER TOURIST WETTING HIS HANDS IN FOUNTAIN AND WIPING HIS BROW TOURISTS WALKING ON SQUARE, ONE WEARING A HAT AND FANNING HERSELF ANOTHER USING A SELFIE STICK TO TAKE A PICTURE WOMAN HOLDING AN UMBRELLA FOR SHADE AND WALKING ON SQUARE WOMAN HOLDING A PARASOL AND WALKING ON SQUARE PEOPLE WALKING ON SQUARE/ GROUP OF PEOPLE WALKING UNDERNEATH A BEACH UMBRELLA WOMAN DRINKING FROM BOTTLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM FRANCE, JULIE, SAYING: "Very hot, but it's the summer, so, it's like that." (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM AUSTRALIA, SHARON, SAYING: "I'm still loving it, I've had to take my daughter into the bathroom and wet her clothes and hose her down but that's fine, it's hot, but it hasn't stopped me." VARIOUS OF TOURISTS LYING ON GRASS UNDERNEATH TREES GROUP OF GIRLS FROM AUSTRALIA LYING ON GRASS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM AUSTRALIA, GRETA, SAYING: "(We are) relaxing, we might go up later if it cools down a bit this afternoon, for the sunset I think we might go up, when the sun's not fully out." OUTDOOR MISTING FAN AT CAFE/WOMAN WALKING PAST AND FANNING HERSELF VARIOUS OF OUTDOOR MISTING FAN BLOWING COOL AIR AT TABLES VARIOUS OF THERMOMETER OUTSIDE PHARMACY SHOWING THE TEMPERATURE AT 41 DEGREES CELSIUS ATHENS BEACH, PEOPLE SWIMMING IN THE WATER VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN THE WATER SWIMMING AND PLAYING
- Embargoed: 26th July 2017 14:55
- Keywords: heat wave Acropolis Parthenon archaeological sights tourist Greece
- Location: ATHENS, GREECE
- City: ATHENS, GREECE
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Environment,Weather
- Reuters ID: LVA0016PEXQ2V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Tourists were locked out of all archaeological sites in Greece on Wednesday (July 12) after concerns over a fresh heatwave induced authorities to close them during the sizzling midday hours.
The sites are to remain shut between the hours of 13:00-17:00 for as long as temperatures remain above 39 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius in the capital, but many tourists were undaunted and continued to sight-see, with some expressing displeasure at not being able to visit the ancient temples.
Greek authorities cautioned the public to stay indoors and in the shade.
In Athens people sought relief at beaches, dipped into water fountains, or carried umbrellas to escape the heat.
Municipalities opened air conditioned halls for the elderly and civil protection authorities warned of the risk of forest fires. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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