Heat wave kills five more

Searing temperatures provoke record power consumption, blackouts, fires

A girl cools down in a fountain in central Thessaloniki yesterday where temperatures reached 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Temperatures soared to 46C (115) in some parts of the country yesterday, making this Greece’s hottest June on record. Authorities warned citizens to avoid overexposure to the sun for another two days as the heat wave is forecast to continue. The heat provoked record power consumption as millions of air-conditioners operated in unison. Several fires were contained before they could cause injuries or major damage.

Searing temperatures reached 46 Celsius (115 Fahrenheit) in parts of the country yesterday as power consumption reached record levels and the toll of heat-related deaths rose to eight.

The majority of the five deaths reported yesterday were elderly citizens but also included a 17-year-old girl on Crete.

The blazing heat provoked several fires in Attica and other parts of the country but no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Service (EMY) warned that the heat wave would continue for at least another two days and advised citizens, especially the old and frail, to avoid exposure to the sun. Temperatures are expected to drop slightly today, reaching an anticipated high of 44C (111F) on the mainland. Air-conditioned halls will remain open and access to beaches in Vouliagmeni and Aghia Triada will be free. Public services, apart from hospitals, will close at noon.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas yesterday insisted that the country’s power network could cope with the increased demand after power consumption reached record levels. But most of Attica, and many other parts of the country, were hit by brief power cuts. Blackouts lasting as long as eight hours were recorded in some parts of Attica, such as Halandri. Moreover, the fire service received dozens of calls from citizens trapped in elevators.

Authorities appealed to citizens to curb their use of electrical appliances to avoid overstraining the power network. They also asked citizens to reduce their use of cars to curb the pollution that has made the atmosphere in central Athens asphyxiating.

The heat provoked at least six fires yesterday. The largest blaze broke out in Nafplion, close to the monastery of Aghios Theodosios, but was extinguished before it reached the building. Fires also broke out in Elefsina, Larissa, Lamia, Viotia and Mandra, Attica. Most of the fires were under control by late yesterday. Small blazes in Thessaloniki’s Seikh Sou Forest and Attica’s Mount Parnitha were extinguished before they could spread.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection warned that the fire risk would be equally high today in many parts of the country.