A 60-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after attacking two Greek-American tourists with a knife near the entrance to the Acropolis archaeological site and the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The victims, a 73-year-old man and a 78-year-old woman, sustained injuries to the leg and arm. Police officials stated that the injuries are not life-threatening.
The attacker was detained at the scene by Athens police. According to officials, the man appeared to be suffering from psychological problems and has been hospitalized in the past on mental health grounds. He also possesses a criminal record and had previously been arrested for possessing a knife.
The incident occurred Tuesday morning during Greece's first heatwave of the summer tourism season. Tracey Dewey, a visitor from Cape Town, South Africa, reported hearing people screaming and seeing a crowd running away, prompting her to take cover.