SerpApi.Org
Two American tourists were injured in a knife attack at the Acropolis in Athens on July 21. Authorities identified the suspect as a 60-year-old Greek man with a history of mental health issues and prior arrests.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the Acropolis ticket offices and the Acropolis Museum. According to the local outlet Ethnos, the suspect had threatened other tourists before the attack. One victim suffered serious injuries, requiring emergency medical treatment at the scene, including the application of a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
Both victims were then transported to Red Cross Hospital. The woman suffered a thigh injury, while the man sustained an injury to his wrist. Both are reported to be out of danger. Ta Nea reported that the man was trying to protect the woman during the apparently unprovoked attack.
Eyewitness Accounts
An eyewitness described the chaotic moments: “He went to slaughter the woman, we heard screams, we saw her lying on the ground covered in blood.” Connie, an Australian expatriate who was at the scene with her daughter, told the Orange Press Agency: “We were in line and waiting to get in. The doors didn’t open and we heard voices. People scattered and we saw the one with a knife going towards a woman.”
She added, “Then we saw the woman down on the ground with blood on her back. We got scared and moved away, but when the police came we returned and continued on our way.”
Officers with the Hellenic Police temporarily blocked access to the historic site for security reasons. The suspect remains in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
Past Criminal History
According to Ta Nea, the attacker was arrested on June 12, 2026, for insulting a Greek citizen. He was also arrested on November 19, 2029, for possession of a knife. Numerous background checks were conducted on him from 2019-2024.
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop above the city, home to the remains of several historically and architecturally significant ancient structures, most notably the Parthenon. In 2025, about 4.6 million people visited the tourist site. CNN reported that violent attacks in public places are rare in Greece. In April, authorities arrested an 89-year-old man who reportedly opened fire with a shotgun in a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, wounding at least four people, over social security grievances.
