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Free Malaysia Today
23-07-2025
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Greece brings in emergency heatwave measures for workers
The heatwave is expected to peak in Athens on Thursday with temperatures of up to 41°C. (AP pic) ATHENS : Greece introduced emergency measures today to help workers cope with temperatures of up to 43°C in a heatwave due to last all week. Cities opened up air-conditioned public rooms and the labour ministry ordered a pause in outdoor work from 12pm to 5pm in most of the country, including Athens. National weather service EMY has said the heatwave that began yesterday is not expected to ease before Sunday. Temperatures in the capital and Thessaloniki are forecast to reach 40°C today, with highs up to 43°C in central Greece. The heatwave is expected to peak in Athens on Thursday with temperatures of up to 41°C, the agency said.
The Herald
09-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Greece shuts Acropolis for part of day, bans outdoor work at heat soars
Greece shut the Acropolis for several hours in the afternoon on Tuesday as the Mediterranean country baked in its second major heatwave of the season, with temperatures set to soar as high as 41°C. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. In Athens, temperatures were expected to reach 38°C, forcing authorities to close the Acropolis, its most visited ancient site on a rocky hill offering barely any shade, from 10am to 2pm. Defying the heat, some tourists visited the monument before it shut. 'It's extremely hot. We had to take extra measures. We have little fans for the children. I have the hat, the glasses. We've been drinking lots of water,' said John Howell, 58, a Scottish tourist. With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon. Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyards workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5pm to avoid heat stress, the labour ministry said. The heatwave conditions will continue until Wednesday, the Greek meteorological service said, and authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale force winds were expected. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, including a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists. Reuters
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Greece shuts Acropolis for part of day as heat soars, bans outdoor work
ATHENS, July 8 (Reuters) - Greece shut the Acropolis for several hours in the afternoon on Tuesday, as the Mediterranean country baked in its second major heatwave of the season, with temperatures set to soar as high as 41 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left 8 dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. In Athens, temperatures were expected to reach 38 C, forcing authorities to close the Acropolis, its most visited ancient site, on a rocky hill offering barely any shade, at midday from 1000 GMT until 1400 GMT. Defying the heat, some tourists visited the monument before it shut. "It's extremely hot. So yeah, we had to take extra measures. We have little fans for the children. I have the hat, the glasses. We've been drinking lots of water," said John Howell, 58, a Scottish tourist. With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula, to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon. Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyards workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5 p.m. to avoid heat stress, the labour ministry said. The heatwave conditions will continue until Wednesday, the Greek meteorological service said, and authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale-force winds were expected. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5 Celsius above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Compulsory breaks for food delivery riders as Greece heatwave persists
Greece has introduced mandatory work breaks for outdoor manual labour and food delivery services in regions where temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The labour ministry's order prohibits these activities from midday to 5pm in central Greece and several islands, with employers also advised to offer remote work options. This measure comes as a heatwave is set to grip the country until Thursday, following similar extreme temperatures experienced across Europe. Greek authorities are implementing long-term strategies to address the effects of climate change, including the deployment of a record number of firefighters this summer. The country has recently battled significant wildfires, including one on Crete that necessitated the evacuation of 5,000 tourists, and another near Athens.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Greece orders workers to down tools as another heatwave takes hold
Greece has introduced mandatory work breaks in regions where temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), as a heatwave is set to grip the country until Thursday. The labour ministry has ordered a halt to outdoor manual labour and food delivery services from midday to 5pm in central Greece and several islands. Employers have also been advised to offer remote work options. Athens. The current hot spell comes after similar sweltering temperatures struck Europe, reaching 46C in part of Portugal. Greek authorities say they are taking long-term steps to address the effects of climate change, including the deployment this summer of a record number of firefighters. Last week, at least 5,000 tourists were forced to evacuate parts of Crete as a massive wildfire scorched forests and olive groves on the Greek island. Around 230 firefighters, along with 46 engines and helicopters, rushed to tackle the blaze on Thursday. It had broken out the day before in the forested hills near Lerapetra on the island's southern coast. People from villages including Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia and Koutsounari and surrounding tourist resorts and hotels were evacuated to Ierapetra's indoor sports hall for shelter. Greece and other countries in the Mediterranean are in an area scientists have called 'a wildfire hotspot', with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years, authorities say, due to a fast-changing climate. Meanwhile, in Turkey last week, thousands fled wildfires as the country battled blazes in the Cesme and Odemis districts in the western coastal province of Izmir. Winds hindered their efforts as the flames approached a main highway to Cesme, local TV footage showed, and thick smoke billowed over mountainous areas. as a large wildfire, fanned by strong winds and exacerbated by Greece's first summer heatwave, raged near the capital.
