New Delhi: Six people were killed after a powerful explosion brought down a two-storey building in Athens’ historic Plaka district, near the Acropolis,
on Friday morning. The victims included four American tourists, an elderly British man and his Greek wife, according to Greek authorities and local reports.
The blast struck shortly after 7:30 am local time on Friday, sending rubble and debris across the surrounding streets and damaging nearby buildings and vehicles. Rescue teams recovered all six bodies from the rubble on Saturday after an extensive search operation involving around 30 firefighters, specialist cameras, sensors and three rescue dogs.
The four Americans had been staying in a short-term rental on the first floor of the building. They were reportedly due to leave Athens and catch a flight back to the US later that day but failed to turn up. The other two victims were an elderly British man and his Greek wife, who lived on the upper floor.
Gas leak suspected, investigation underway
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said a major gas leak was believed to have caused the explosion, although authorities have not yet established the exact cause. Greece’s fire service and police, including the Arson Crimes Division, are investigating the blast.
Two women in a neighbouring building were injured and taken to hospital, while surrounding buildings were evacuated after suffering damage. Authorities are also assessing whether two badly damaged adjoining structures need to be demolished.
The incident has also raised questions about possible warnings before the blast. Residents in Plaka had reportedly alerted authorities and utility companies about the risk of gas leaks or electrical problems in the area about a year earlier. A local resident was also said to have reported a smell of gas in the street in recent weeks. Officials have not yet established whether those reports were connected to Friday’s explosion.
Plaka, located at the foot of the Acropolis, is one of Athens’ most popular tourist districts and is filled with hotels, short-term rentals and historic buildings.
