Acropolis stabbing as knifeman threatens visitors and injures two tourists in Greece


Police in Greece raced to the Acropolis archaeological site, a major landmark and tourist attraction in Athens, after reports a man brandishing a knife had attacked visitors

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Police rushed in to stop a man after he stabbed tourists at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece (file)(Image: Getty Images)

Police have swarmed a major landmark in Greece after man suddenly started to threaten visitors with a knife before stabbing tourists. According to local reports, the man suddenly brandished a knife at the entrance to the Acropolis archaeological site in Athens.

The man reportedly began attacking tourists waiting to enter the site this morning (July 21) with two American nationals being injured in the attack. Greek police rushed to the scene after reports of a man with a knife, who was threatening people.

The two injured tourists are not believed to have suffered life threatening injuries, according to media outlets in Greece.

Police in Greece

Greek police rushed to the scene after reports of a man with a knife (file)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The assailant attacked a man and a woman, both reportedly Greek Americans, with a knife near the entrance of the Acropolis Museum, which lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill.

The woman suffered light injuries to the leg, while the man was more seriously hurt with wounds to the arm, police said.

The attacker was detained, while the two victims were transported to hospital by ambulance, authorities said.

ATHENS, GREECE - JULY 20: Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple during a heat wave on July 20, 2023 in Athens, Greece. The Acropolis of Athens and other archaeological sites in Greece announced reduced opening hours due to the heatwave conditions. Parts of Europe continue to experience extreme conditions of the Cerberus heatwave, dubbed Charon. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

The Acropolis site is a popular destination for tourists with millions visiting every year (file) (Image: Getty Images)

The identity of the attacker was not immediately clear, but police said he appeared to have been suffering from psychological problems.

Such attacks are rare in Greece and left both locals locals and tourists at the popular landmark in shock.

The Acropolis hill in Athens hosts the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple as well as other monuments, and attracts millions of tourists. Last year, about 4.6 million people visited the site.

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