Widespread disruption after heaviest snowfall in 12 years hits Greece
Heavy snowfall has caused widespread disruption in many parts of Greece, including the capital — Athens, on Monday, February 15, 2021, resulting in delayed transport, power outages, and suspended services. According to the National Meteorological Service, this was the country's 'fiercest' snowfall in terms of intensity and volume in 12 years.
The snow, which is common in the north but rare in the capital, put many services across the country to a standstill. Most public transport services were delayed, while toppled trees caused power outages in several mountainside suburbs.
Parts of the nation's main highway were closed, most ferry services to the islands were canceled, and flights from regional airports disrupted.
The fire service said they received more than 600 calls for assistance in greater Athens alone.
"The calls mainly concerned downed trees and transporting people stuck in their vehicles to a safe place, but also to transport kidney dialysis patients to receive treatment," fire service spokesman Vassilis Vatharakoyiannis told the state TV.
"Vaccinations have been postponed but we have helped transport doctors and medical staff where they are needed and we helped power technicians get to damaged electricity pylons in areas where access was difficult," he added.
Theodoros Kolydas, head of the meteorological service, said this was the fiercest snowfall, in terms of intensity and volume, in 12 years.
Athens in covered in snow this morning. #Greece pic.twitter.com/HUCXQVfSKu
— Savvas Karmaniolas (@savvaskarma) February 16, 2021
More scenes of a very wintry Athens: the Temple of Olympian Zeus looming large in the snow!
#Greece #Archaeology #ClassicsTwitter pic.twitter.com/QGMoujngjB
— Evan Levine (@LevineRx) February 16, 2021
Today in Greece- Snow!! Just on the hills around my village but other places on the island have Proper Snow pic.twitter.com/3mKrdg8ORK
— Sharon McKee (@SharoneMcKee) February 15, 2021
Snow is common in Greece's mountains and in the north of the country, but much rarer in the capital, particularly heavy snow.
Watch more videos from Sky News: https://t.co/jLozQeRD7u pic.twitter.com/8XI0w70vZL
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 16, 2021
Greece turned into a winter wonderland and our Embassy in Athens is covered in snow today – one of the biggest snowfalls to hit since 1987! Enjoy and stay safe!
: Greg Etter pic.twitter.com/7rFhx4sOwp
— U.S. Embassy Athens (@USEmbassyAthens) February 16, 2021
Featured image credit: Evan Levine
The snows look to be about 100 cm deep, about 4″.
I’ve been on the stairs leading to the Acropolis. Those steps are polished by footsteps of tourist traffic. Add snow to them and they have to be more treacherous than slick ice.
Can’t wait for COVID to stop so as to be able to return to Greece so I can give them my Euros.