- Two tourists have been rushed to hospital after a horror knife attack near the ancient Acropolis in Athens.
- The Greek American holidaymakers were viciously stabbed in front of the historic site before local cops arrested a 60-year-old suspect, reports say.
- The woman suffered wounds to her leg while the man’s injuries to his arm were more serious, police said.
- The man reportedly stepped in to protect the woman during the terrifying knife rampage.
- The assailant was allegedly threatening other holidaymakers queuing up for tickets when police were alerted.
- By the time police arrived at the scene, the US tourists had been stabbed.
- The two victims were raced to hospital via ambulance.
- The knife-wielding suspect carried out the attack by the entrance of the Acropolis Museum, at the foot of the Acropolis hill.
- The assailant attacked a man and a woman, both Greek Americans, with a knife near the entrance of the Acropolis Museum shortly after 8 a.m.
- The attacker was detained, while the two victims were transported to the Red Cross hospital by ambulance, authorities said.
- The identity of the attacker was not immediately clear, but police said he appeared to have been suffering from psychological problems.
- Initial information suggests the attacker is a 60-year-old Greek citizen, who has been arrested in the past for insulting people and possession of a knife.
- Such attacks are rare in Greece.
- Last year, about 4.6 million people visited the site.
Two Greek American tourists were stabbed near the Acropolis in Athens on Tuesday morning, leading to their hospitalization. The attack occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at the entrance of the Acropolis Museum, where a 60-year-old man was arrested by police.8
The victims, a man and a woman, were attacked while queuing for tickets. The woman sustained light injuries to her leg, while the man suffered more serious wounds to his arm after attempting to protect her during the assault. Both were transported to the Red Cross hospital for treatment.
Authorities reported that the assailant appeared to be suffering from psychological problems and had a history of past arrests for insulting people and possession of a knife. The attack is considered rare in Greece, a country that saw approximately 4.6 million visitors to the Acropolis last year. Police were alerted to the situation as the assailant threatened other tourists before the stabbing occurred.5
The identity of the attacker has not been disclosed, but police confirmed his arrest following the incident. The quick response of law enforcement likely prevented further injuries among the crowd of tourists.
“Police said the attacker, a 60-year-old Greek citizen with a history of knife possession, allegedly threatened other tourists before stabbing the Greek American couple near the Acropolis Museum entrance. The woman suffered minor leg wounds while the man sustained more serious arm injuries after intervening to protect her.”
The Sun
eKathimerini.com
