Greece closed the Acropolis and two firefighters died in Italy amid a heat wave across southern Europe

A heat wave in southern Europe forced Greek authorities to close the Acropolis for several hours on Wednesday and two firefighters died while battling a blaze in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, Italian officials said.

Italy adds Palermo, Sicily to its list of 13 cities Severe heat warning. The elderly in the city of Verona were urged to stay in their homes, while sprinklers were set up to cool passers-by.

Ordered by the Greek Ministry of Culture Closing of the Acropolis, The biggest cultural attraction of the country, starts at noon and lasts for five hours.

Tourists hoping to visit the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis lined up early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat, while the Red Cross handed out cold bottled water and information brochures to those waiting in line.

“We did it, and we got out quickly. Now let's get some air conditioning, drink some more and enjoy tomorrow,” said Toby Dunlap, a visitor from Pennsylvania who was visiting the Acropolis. “But it's really hot there, really. “If you don't come prepared, you're going to sweat.”

Meteorologists said Hot air from Africa is forecast to continue until Sunday, with heat wave temperatures reaching 43 degrees Celsius (109F).

In Albania, the heat forced government officials to adjust their working hours, making it easier for some to work from home. Neighboring North Macedonia has had to deal with dozens of forest fires in the past 24 hours. A large fire spread nearly 30 kilometers (21 mi).. Firefighters from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania and Turkey responded to the country's call for help.

In western Turkey, firefighters were able to bring a forest fire under control after several hours with the help of more than a dozen water-dropping planes near the city of Bargama. The cause of the fire, which was caused by strong winds, was not immediately known.

The municipality of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is a Heat warning for TuesdaySaying that Temperatures will rise 3 to 6 degrees C (5.4 to 10.8 degrees F) above seasonal norms through July 28..

Several Spanish cities, including Granada and Toledo, are expecting temperatures of up to 44 degrees C (111 F) later in the week in the hottest parts of the country's south.

(With information from AP)