A veil of smog has covered Athens again. As temperatures drop in Athens to single-digit figures, a number of people are seeking warmth – especially in the northern suburbs – by lighting up their fireplaces oblivious to warnings issued by the Environment Ministry. Use of fireplaces have resulted in pockets of smog hovering over certain distructs.

From Monday afternoon, the government warned that people living in Athens and all of Attica should refrain from unncecessary use of fireplaces, stressing that the weather conditions favor the accumulation of atmospheric pollution. Few people paid heed to warnings, however, resulting in a huge mass of smoke covering the capital.