Snowfall strands hundreds on Athens ring road

Hundreds of motorists were stuck in their vehicles for several hours on Monday on the Athens ring road (Greece) after a heavy snowstorm. Images of the huge traffic jam were broadcast by the media.

“The situation is very difficult in Attica,” confirmed Christos Stylianides, Minister of Civil Protection and Climate Change, who apologized to the Greeks during a televised address. He said the weather situation was “unheard of”, blaming the device management company for the traffic jam.

Incredible views from #Athens, #Greece this evening with heavy snow continuing! Reports of drivers trapped in vehicles, numerous roads closed! (Photo via Meteo Balkans on Facebook) #snowfall #severeweather pic.twitter.com/VdX7owSgzM

— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) January 24, 2022

Temperatures down to -14°C

Many furious motorists called radio stations to protest while others abandoned their cars. The roadway was covered in snow and drivers complained of “the chaos” and the lack of snowplows. Heavy traffic jams also occurred on other avenues in central Athens.

The cold wave passed through much of Greece up to Crete and the Cyclades islands. Temperatures have dropped to -14° in some regions, causing power and road cuts. Parliament and schools remained closed on Monday and the government encouraged citizens to reduce their trips and telecommute.

According to Costas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory in Athens, said the Greek capital had not experienced such weather conditions since 1968. snow also affected the island of Euboea, north of Athens, already ravaged by fires this summer.