A knife-wielding attacker assaulted a Greek‑American couple at the entrance to the Acropolis archaeological site in Athens, leaving both tourists injured and prompting a swift police response.
The assault occurred on the pedestrian street between the southern entrance of the Acropolis and the nearby museum, an area that draws large numbers of visitors each morning.
The woman suffered minor injuries to her leg, while the man incurred more serious wounds to his arm. Emergency personnel applied a tourniquet at the scene before transporting him to a hospital, where both victims remain in stable condition.
Police detained a 60‑year‑old man who had been threatening passersby with a knife before the attack. Authorities indicated that the suspect may have been experiencing psychological difficulties.
The detained individual is scheduled to appear before a prosecutor later in the day to face formal charges. Greek law limits the release of identifying details about suspects.
Despite the incident, the Acropolis and its museum continued to operate without interruption, allowing visitors to proceed with their planned tours.
The attack took place shortly after the site opened at 8 a.m., a time when many tourists seek to avoid the intense midday heat. Athens is currently experiencing an early summer heat wave, with temperatures expected to reach 38 °C (100 °F) in the capital and up to 41 °C (105 °F) in other regions.
