On Tuesday morning, a man attacked and injured two tourists close to the historic Acropolis in Athens, which is Greece’s most popular tourist destination, according to police reports.
The attacker used a knife on a man and a woman, both of whom are Greek Americans, on a pedestrian pathway near the entrance to the Acropolis and adjacent to the Acropolis Museum, situated at the base of the Acropolis hill. The woman sustained minor leg injuries, while the man suffered more severe injuries to his arm, as reported by the authorities.
Authorities indicated that the assailant was apprehended at the site of the incident, and both victims were taken to a hospital via ambulance. While the attacker’s identity has not been disclosed, police mentioned that he seemed to be experiencing mental health issues.
Despite the incident, the tourist sites remained open and continued their daily operations. Reports from Greek media suggested that the assailant had been randomly threatening bystanders with a knife before police were notified by a citizen.
Incidents of violent attacks on the streets are uncommon in Greece. In a recent case from April, an 89-year-old man was arrested for allegedly firing a shotgun in both a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, injuring at least four individuals, reportedly due to disputes over social security issues.
The Acropolis hill, home to the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and other significant monuments, draws millions of visitors each year. In the previous year, approximately 4.6 million people visited this iconic site.
