Temperatures are expected to soar to 44°C on Friday, marking the peak of the heatwave currently affecting much of Greece. The National Meteorological Service (EMY) warns that the extreme heat will persist through the weekend, significantly increasing the risk of heat-related health issues.
Greek authorities have issued a very high fire risk warning for the greater Athens region of Attica and the island of Evia for Saturday, placing the entire state emergency mechanism on heightened alert as a combination of hot, dry, and windy conditions creates a severe threat.
The Greek government has ordered a mandatory, five-hour halt to all outdoor manual labor in the hottest parts of the country on Friday, as a dangerous heatwave peaks and authorities warn of an "explosive" risk of wildfires.