The explosion destroyed a three-storey building in Athens’ historic Plaka district.
A suspected gas leak destroyed a three-storey building in Athens’ historic Plaka district, killing six people and damaging neighbouring properties.
Six people, including four American tourists and a British national, died after an explosion destroyed a three-storey building in the historic centre of Athens, Greece.
The blast struck the Plaka district, a popular area between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. A local resident was also among those killed, with authorities suspecting that an elderly resident had died alongside the visitors.
Investigators suspect a severe gas leak caused the explosion. The force of the blast flattened the building, badly damaged neighbouring properties and sent debris into surrounding streets. The suspected cause has not been confirmed.
Search teams recover six bodies
Emergency crews searched the wreckage using excavators, search dogs and thermal imaging equipment. The building had been reduced to shattered debris, with personal belongings scattered across the site.
Officials confirmed by Saturday, September 26, that all six bodies had been recovered. The search operation took place amid extensive destruction, both at the collapsed building and around nearby properties affected by the explosion.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the deaths as an unspeakable tragedy. The victims included visitors from two countries as well as a resident of the city, bringing an international dimension to the fatal incident in the Greek capital.
Missed flight raises alarm
Local police raised the alarm after the four American tourists failed to board their scheduled flight from Athens International Airport on Friday evening. The missed departure was part of the concern surrounding the tourists before officials confirmed the recovery of all six victims.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was aware of a suspected explosion in Athens and was in contact with local authorities. A spokesperson confirmed that British officials were liaising with Greek authorities over the incident.
The office’s statement acknowledged the incident but did not establish its cause. Investigators’ suspicion of a gas leak remains separate from the confirmation that a British national was among those killed.
Nearby buildings evacuated after blast
Several bystanders suffered minor injuries when glass and concrete fell in the surrounding area. Nearby structures were evacuated as a precaution following the explosion and the damage to adjacent properties.
The impact extended beyond the destroyed building, with debris propelled at high speed into neighbouring streets. Emergency activity therefore covered both the search through the collapsed structure and precautions around other affected buildings.
With all six bodies recovered, the suspected gas leak remains central to the investigation into what caused the destruction. Authorities have not confirmed a final explanation for the blast that killed the five foreign visitors and a local resident.
