Greece Adapts Underground Bunkers for Civil Defense Against Potential Nuclear Threat

Greek authorities have recently intensified efforts to prepare for potential threats in the wake of escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. One of the primary responses has been the adaptation of underground tunnels in Athens into bomb shelters. The move, part of a broader European initiative to bolster civil defense, comes as the fear of a nuclear strike grows. Existing tunnels are being retrofitted with Swiss technology to create shelters capable of housing tens of thousands of people in the event of a nuclear attack. However, the exact locations of these shelters remain undisclosed to avoid causing public panic.

This shift towards preparing for nuclear threats follows a trend across Europe, where countries like Germany and Sweden have been reviving or upgrading their civil defense systems. Germany, for example, has been reintroducing bunkers and public shelters, while Sweden allocated millions to bolster its shelters and emergency services. Similarly, Latvia has been encouraging residents to prepare their basements as air-raid shelters. In comparison, Greece, which boasts a vast underground infrastructure built during World War II, had largely left its bomb shelters dormant until recent months. Many of these bunkers, particularly those in Athens, are now being assessed and equipped for modern use.

The idea of reviving these underground shelters in Athens is not new. Greece began constructing its network of bunkers in the late 1930s, during the lead-up to World War II. At its peak, the country had over 5,000 shelters built to withstand air raids. While some shelters across the country, from Crete to Thessaloniki, have been maintained or repurposed, many others have fallen into disrepair or are abandoned altogether. In Athens, the shelters...