The City of Athens has activated emergency measures as the heatwave which gripped Greece on Tuesday continues into Wednesday, and the wider Attica area has been placed in Category 5, the highest fire-risk level.
As part of its heat and fire protection plan, the municipality will operate seven fully air-conditioned spaces (see below), one in each municipal district, as public cooling shelters from 09:00 to 21:00 daily, for as long as high temperatures persist.
In addition to the cooling centers, the City of Athens Civil Protection Division is implementing a broad action plan that includes 24-hour patrols across the city, ground and aerial surveillance of high-risk zones, real-time thermal monitoring of urban green areas, while city water tankers will be on standby across the Greek capital.
Photo: Michalis Papanikolaou / Eurokinissi
The Municipal Police Operations Center will be operating around the clock, coordinating emergency responses and ensuring the safety of public spaces.
Special attention is also being given to vulnerable populations. From 08:00 to 23:00, mobile units from the city’s Reception and Solidarity Center will be patrolling the streets distributing bottled water, drinks, snacks, and emergency protection kits to the homeless.
To protect stray animals during the heatwave, the city has also installed 100 water bowls in parks and public areas. Residents are encouraged to help keep them filled with cool, fresh water.
Additionally, Lycabettus Hill will be closed to the public from midnight on Tuesday, July 8, as a precaution due to the extreme fire risk.
For emergencies or reports of danger, citizens can contact the city’s 24-hour hotlines at 1595 or 210-5287800.
Cooling Centers in Athens:
Agios Pavlos: Mamouri & Dymis Sts. – Tel: 210-8223946
Neos Kosmos: 15 Heldreich St – Tel: 210-9240403
Votanikos: 4 Kozanis St – Tel: 210-3423716
Kolokynthou: 9 Aimonos & Astrous Sts – Tel: 210-5140877
Agios Eleftherios: 372 Acharnon Ave – Tel: 210-2012334
Kypseli: Skyros & Kafkasou Sts – Tel: 210-8815877
Ampelokipoi: Panormou & Vatheos Sts – Tel: 210-6459890
