SerpApi.Org
A morning outing at one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks turned into a bloody scramble for help.
Two Greek-American tourists were stabbed near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, July 21, according to multiple reports, including ABC News and NBC News.
The attack was highly unusual in Greece, where violent street assaults are rare. The Acropolis area is one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations and draws visitors from around the world.
The incident happened at about 8:05 a.m. on a pedestrian walkway near the southern entrance to the Acropolis archaeological site. The location is opposite the Acropolis Museum and its main ticket booths.
Police said a man carrying a knife had been threatening pedestrians before officers arrived. A bystander called authorities, but the suspect allegedly attacked the couple before police reached the scene.
The 53-year-old male victim suffered a serious arm wound and severe blood loss. Officers and paramedics applied a tourniquet before taking him to a hospital.
A 48-year-old woman suffered less severe injuries to her hands and legs. Both victims were reported in stable condition. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
A police rapid-response unit disarmed a 60-year-old Greek man and detained him at the scene. The motive remained unclear, but authorities said the attack appeared to be random.
Local reports said the suspect had previous encounters with law enforcement involving threatening behavior and knife possession. Authorities were also examining reports that he had a history of psychiatric treatment.
Neither the Acropolis nor the museum closed after the attack. Tourists continued entering both sites as police investigated.
The Acropolis rises above Athens and includes the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Many of its best-known monuments were constructed during the fifth century BC under Athenian statesman Pericles. UNESCO describes the complex as a universal symbol of classical civilization and one of the greatest architectural and artistic legacies of ancient Greece.
The site’s history stretches back more than 3,000 years. Its surviving monuments have endured wars, fires, earthquakes, explosions, and other damage.
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