A major winter storm in Greece over the past few days has forced the government to close schools, public services and many businesses for a second day on Wednesday.

The closures come as the government faces criticism over its handling of the storm. Power outages have affected households across the country, gridlock has left drivers stranded on major highways and trains have gotten stuck in the snow.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides said the shutdown would apply to Athens, Crete and the islands of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, as meteorologists warn of a further drop in temperatures.

Stylianides apologized for the failed response of the state while thanking emergency responders for their actions, which helped thousands of citizens in trouble.

In response to the motorists stranded on Attiki Odos for hours in freezing conditions, the minister shifted blame to the company that manages the motorway, claiming it had “failed to maintain normal traffic conditions despite earlier promises that they will take adequate measures to do so.”

Featured image: A police car drives past the Greek parliament building, following heavy snowfall in Athens, Greece, January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis