ATHENS, Greece — Two tourists were wounded Tuesday morning in a knife attack near the Acropolis in Athens, one of Greece’s most visited landmarks, police said.
Authorities said the attacker targeted a man and a woman, both Greek Americans, on a pedestrian street close to an entrance to the ancient site and near the Acropolis Museum at the base of the hill. The woman sustained minor leg injuries, while the man was more seriously wounded in the arm, according to police.
Police detained the suspect at the scene, and the two injured tourists were taken by ambulance to a hospital, officials said. The attacker’s identity was not immediately released, though police said he appeared to be experiencing psychological problems.
The incident did not prompt the closure of either the Acropolis or the museum, both of which continued operating normally. Greek media reported that the suspect had allegedly been threatening passers-by at random with a knife before a member of the public alerted police.
Such street violence is uncommon in Greece. In April, authorities arrested an 89-year-old man who allegedly fired a shotgun inside a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, wounding at least four people in what was reportedly linked to social security grievances.
The Acropolis hill is home to the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon and several other ancient monuments. The site remains a major draw for international visitors, with about 4.6 million people touring it last year.
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