ATHENS – Two tourists were wounded Tuesday morning in a knife attack near the Acropolis, Athens’ most famous ancient landmark and one of Greece’s busiest visitor destinations, police said.
According to authorities, the attacker targeted a man and a woman, both Greek Americans, close to the entrance of the Acropolis Museum at the base of the Acropolis hill. Police said the woman sustained minor injuries to her leg, while the man was hurt more seriously after being wounded in the arm.
The suspect was taken into custody at the scene, and the injured tourists were carried by ambulance to a hospital for treatment, officials said. Police did not immediately release the attacker’s identity, but said initial indications suggested he may have been experiencing psychological difficulties.
Such violent incidents in public spaces are uncommon in Greece. In April, authorities arrested an 89-year-old man accused of firing a shotgun inside a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, injuring at least four people in what was reportedly linked to grievances over social security matters.
The Acropolis hill, home to the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon and several other ancient monuments, remains a centerpiece of Athens tourism. The archaeological site drew roughly 4.6 million visitors last year.
