Athens, 14 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Sweltering temperatures are sizzling across Europe with some regions facing temperatures expected to climb well above 40 degrees Celsius, the European Space Agency said.

The Acropolis in the Greek capital of Athens was closed on Friday between noon (0900 GMT) and 5 pm due to extreme heat.

In the morning, a tourist suffered a mild heat stroke while visiting the Acropolis, Athens' archaeological landmark. She was taken to hospital but is not in danger, the emergency services said.

Similar conditions prevailed in Cyprus. On Friday, thermometers in the capital Nicosia read 43 degrees Celsius, the island's radio reported.

In Greece, pizza and other delivery services were banned from sending their workers out on the streets during the sweltering lunch hour. State employees were urged to work from home if possible.

Furthermore, cities and municipalities across Greece opened air-conditioned buildings for citizens to seek shelter from the scorching heat.

According to meteorologists in Athens, there is no sign of temperatures dropping to the usual 35 degrees Celsius for the time of year.

There is no relief in sight for Italy either - after this week's so-called Cerberus heatwave, named after the three-headed monster that features in Dante’s inferno - meteorologists said it will be even hotter next week.

Parts of Germany will heat up on Saturday. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures will rise to 30 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius in the eastern and southern regions of the country.

Experts pointed to climate change.

"Extreme weather events, which are occurring with increasing frequency in our warming climate, have significant impacts on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, and energy and water supplies," said the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary General Petteri Taalas in Geneva on Friday.

"This underscores the increasing urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as profoundly as possible."

In all countries affected by the heatwave, doctors advised people to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.

People should also spend as little time as possible outdoors and refrain from strenuous physical activities such as jogging and cycling.