American Tourists Stabbed Outside Acropolis in Rome

Two American tourists were rushed to the hospital Tuesday morning after a knife-wielding attacker allegedly stabbed them outside one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

The frightening attack unfolded around 8:05 a.m. near the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, just after the popular tourist destination opened for the day, according to police.

Authorities said the victims, described as Greek-American tourists, were attacked near the south entrance of the Acropolis archaeological site, directly across from the museum and the main ticket booths — an area usually packed with tour groups, families, and international visitors.

Before the stabbing, witnesses said a man armed with a knife had been threatening pedestrians outside the museum entrance. A bystander reportedly called emergency services as the situation escalated.

But before officers could arrive, police said the suspect stabbed a 53-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman.

The male victim suffered severe blood loss and required urgent medical attention, authorities said. Officers and paramedics reportedly applied a tourniquet to his wounds at the scene before he was taken to the hospital.

The woman suffered injuries to her hands and legs, which police described as minor.

Both victims were transported to a hospital and are listed in stable condition, according to authorities.

Police said a 60-year-old suspect was taken into custody at the scene after a rapid-response unit with the Hellenic Police and the Athens Police Directorate moved in, immobilized him, and disarmed him.

An ambulance and a rapid-response paramedic motorcycle unit also responded to the chaotic scene, where emergency crews treated the injured tourists before they were taken away for care.

The attack stunned visitors in one of Athens’ busiest and most recognizable tourist zones. The Acropolis, one of the most visited landmarks in Greece, draws huge crowds from around the world, especially during the summer travel season.

The stabbing happened as tourists were visiting the Acropolis during a heatwave in Athens.

Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the attack.

The investigation remains ongoing.