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Two American visitors were injured Tuesday after a man armed with a knife attacked them near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, in what authorities believe was a random assault near one of the country’s most recognizable tourist destinations.
The Associated Press reported that the victims, a 53-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman described by police as a Greek American couple, were walking along a pedestrian street near the Acropolis Museum and one of the entrances to the ancient archaeological site when they were attacked shortly after 8 a.m. local time.
Police said the man suffered a serious arm injury that required a tourniquet before he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The woman suffered a less severe leg injury, and authorities said neither victim’s injuries were considered life-threatening.
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Tourists walk near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, after two tourists were stabbed and injured nearby in an attack on a pedestrian street near the entrance of the archaeological site. (AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris)
Officers detained the suspect, identified only as a 60-year-old Greek man, at the scene. He was expected to appear before a prosecutor Tuesday to face formal charges.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the stabbing, though police said the suspect appeared to be suffering from psychological problems.
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Greek media reported the suspect had been brandishing a knife and threatening people before the attack, prompting a bystander to call police.
Tourists walk near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, after two tourists were attacked on a pedestrian street near the entrance of the archaeological site. (AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris)
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The violence unfolded just after the Acropolis opened for the day.
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The UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the Parthenon and other ancient monuments overlooking Athens, attracts millions of visitors each year and is among Greece’s most popular tourist attractions.
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Early morning visits at the historic site are especially common during the summer months, when tourists seek to avoid the intense midday heat on the exposed hilltop.
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Sun rays break through the clouds above the ancient Parthenon temple as tourists walk across the Acropolis during a hot day in July 2026. (AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris)
Greece is experiencing its first major heat wave of the season, with temperatures in Athens forecast to reach about 100 degrees and even higher in other parts of the country.
Despite the attack, authorities did not close the Acropolis or the nearby museum, and both continued operating as normal throughout the day.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or announced what charges the suspect will face.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Athens to confirm the victims’ citizenship, determine whether consular assistance is being provided and request additional comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
