Cruisers Advised to Prepare for Greece’s Extreme Heatwave

Greek authorities have warned tourists, including visiting cruise guests coming ashore, about the extreme heatwave raging across the Greek mainland and islands. Five tourists have died so far this month as temperatures soar to over 110F.

Five Tourists Dead, Others Missing

It includes a 55-year-old American who was found dead on the Greek island of Mathraki earlier this week. One of the dead was renowned British TV presenter and author Dr Michael Mosley. Two Dutch tourists and a French national have also died recently.

All the deaths so far have come after tourists went on short hikes on Greek islands.

“There is a common pattern – they all went for a hike amid high temperatures,” said Petros Vassilakis, police spokesman for the Southern Aegean.

Three other people, including another US national, are currently missing. However, the intense heatwave hasn’t spared Athens, a popular cruise port.

A week ago, Athens’ Acropolis—a top excursion for cruisers arriving in the port of Piraeus—was forced to close for several hours during scorching afternoon heat. The UNESCO-listed site’s position on a steep rocky hill exposes it to heat with little shade protection.

The site was also closed for a short time last summer as temperatures reached 115F. Medical personnel were called to treat some tourists who had collapsed.

Athens walking tours are also popular shore excursion options on most cruise itineraries calling at Piraeus. Even in the city, where air-conditioned respite is close at hand, tourists have been warned to take appropriate common sense precautions.

Cruise guests exploring the city independently are arguably more vulnerable due to a need to see and do as much as possible in a few short hours ashore.   

Athens On Fire Risk Alert

On the last day, Athens officials issued an extreme fire risk warning. Wildfires broke out close to the city, but Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said this may have initially been due to arson.

“The early start of the heatwave, combined with the dry winter, has led to a very difficult fire season,” he said.

Authorities are taking no chances. Athens’ National Gardens and the Alsos Horofylakis Park have been closed due to the risk of fire, and water trucks are on standby to assist the fire department.

Last summer, wildfires ravaged Greece’s mainland and multiple islands, causing thousands of tourists to flee beach resorts.