UK holidaymakers heading to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus issued warning and told 'take action'

Cyann Fielding & Liv Clarke
·3-min read
People cool themselves in a fountain during a hot day in Athens, Greece
-Credit: (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)


Popular holiday destinations in Europe are experiencing extreme temperatures for this time of year. Brits are being warned of blistering conditions in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus as a heatwave spreads across parts of Europe.

Authorities are recommending that people stay inside and stay hydrated with the hot weather linked to recent deaths in Greece. Schools and tourist attractions in some areas have even been forced to close due to the life-threatening temperatures.

National weather agencies have issued warnings this week, with temperatures in the low 40s forecast for Greece and Cyprus, the Mirror reports. Here’s a roundup of the latest weather updates from Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.

READ MORE: UK tourists hiring a car in Spain issued warning and urged to take action when travelling

Greece

In recent days Greece has seen extreme temperatures which has led to the closure of some attractions and a mini-lockdown. Schools have had to close and the Acropolis in Athens has restricted its opening hours. Temperatures exceeded 40C on Thursday in much of central and southern Greece.

Tourists leave after visiting the ancient Acropolis hill during a hot day in Athens
Tourists leave after visiting the ancient Acropolis hill during a hot day in Athens on June 12, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) -Credit:AFP via Getty Images

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service warned of soaring temperatures earlier this but conditions are set to cool over the weekend, bringing some respite. Locations in Greece where tourists are urged to take care are:

  • Athens

  • The Cyclades islands

  • Crete

  • Eastern Peloponnese

  • Dodecanese Islands

  • Amorgos

Cyprus

This week Cyprus has seen temperatures reach highs up to 39C, causing wildfires to break out near Paphos. Fires have broken out near the village of Polemi and since, Cyprus has activated its Pyros nation plan and requested aid from neighbouring countries.

The Department of Meteorology in Cyprus has issued an “extreme maximum weather warning" on Friday which is valid until 5pm on Saturday, June 15. It warned that inland and coastal night temperatures would be no less than 26C while maximum temperatures will reach 41C over inland areas, and around 39C over the southern and eastern coastal areas. It said that temperatures could even reach 33C in higher mountainous areas.

The department's statement reads: "Take action, extreme high temperatures are expected. Protect yourself and support vulnerable people. Act on advice given by authorities. Expect possible infrastructural breakdowns."

Turkey

Five different fires broke out on Wednesday June 12 in Turkey. According to Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, two of the fires were under control by the late afternoon.

Forest fires in Istanbul and Izmir have been brought under control, however further fires across the west of the country and on the Black Sea are continuing.

The Turkish State Meteorological Service has released several weather warnings in the past few days, including storm, wind and temperature warnings. The rising temperature warning states: "Air temperatures are still above seasonal normal in Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions, and around seasonal normal in other places... On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, it will be eight to 12 degrees above seasonal norms in the inner parts of Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia and Western and Central Black Sea regions, and four to eight degrees above seasonal norms in other regions."

However, conditions are expected to cool over the weekend due to rainfall, with the weather agency stating they should “fall to around seasonal norms.”

They added: "Due to the high temperatures, our citizens, especially those with chronic diseases, the elderly and children, should be careful and cautious not to be in open areas between 11 and 16, which are the hottest hours of the day."

The UK government is warning people to stay in the shade, avoid direct sunlight and stay hydrated. Also, the government has emphasised how this is particularly important for travellers that are particularly vulnerable, such as people aged over 65, people with underlying health conditions and people who are already ill and dehydrated.

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