- Six bodies were recovered from the rubble of a collapsed building in Athens' Plaka district, near the Acropolis, following a gas explosion.
- The explosion on Friday was believed to have been caused by a major gas leak, according to Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.
- Four of the victims were identified as U.S. citizens, as indicated by documents and belongings found with them.
- Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, and neighboring buildings were damaged and evacuated.
- The search-and-rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs, and an investigation into the explosion is currently underway.
- A year ago, locals in the Plaka neighborhood had warned the city and utility companies about the risk of gas leaks or short circuits.
- The neighborhood of Plaka is one of Athens' most popular tourist areas, located at the foot of the Acropolis, Greece's most visited ancient monument.
Six people died in a gas explosion that caused a building to collapse in Athens' Plaka district, a popular tourist area near the Acropolis. Among the deceased were four American tourists, identified as a family preparing to return to the U.S. when the blast occurred.8
The explosion, which took place on Friday, was attributed to a major gas leak, according to Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. The victims included two men and two women from the U.S., while the other two fatalities were an elderly British man and his Greek wife who lived in the building.245
The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths, with Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle expressing her condolences and appreciation for the Greek first responders. The family had been renting an apartment on the first floor and was reportedly just hours away from heading to the airport.
The blast not only brought down the residential building but also caused damage to nearby properties and vehicles. Two women were injured in an adjacent building, prompting a search-and-rescue operation involving 30 firefighters and three dogs. Inspections of neighboring buildings are underway to assess their structural integrity.6
Video footage from the scene showed extensive damage, with rubble scattered across the street and parked cars crushed by debris. Mayor Doukas described the incident as an incredible disaster, highlighting the ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Authorities have not yet released the identities or ages of the American victims, nor their hometowns.
“The blast on Friday was believed to be caused by a major gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said, and neighboring buildings were damaged and evacuated. The search-and-rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs, and an investigation into the explosion was underway.”
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