Rescue teams in Athens have recovered the bodies of two people and are searching for four others missing after an explosion destroyed a residential building in the city’s historic Plaka district on Friday morning.
The blast, believed to have been caused by a gas leak, occurred near some of Athens’ most visited landmarks, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Authorities confirmed the fatalities and missing individuals as the operation entered its second day.
Rescue operation identifies victims
Emergency services located the body of a young woman on Saturday morning, followed by the discovery of a man’s body later in the day, according to a Greek fire brigade official. The victims were among six people unaccounted for after the explosion, which reduced the two-storey building to a pile of twisted metal, shattered tiles, and concrete slabs.
The deceased included an American couple staying in a ground-floor holiday rental, while the missing comprised an elderly British man and his wife, a Greek national, and a second American tourist, officials said. The identities of the victims and missing individuals have not been released.
Casualties and damage reported
Three people were injured by debris scattered across nearby streets, and damage extended to nearby buildings, some of which were deemed structurally unsafe. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the incident as an "incredible disaster," noting that two adjacent buildings required inspection to determine if they could remain standing.
The explosion occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. local time on Lysikratous Street, a narrow road between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Emergency crews, including firefighters, rescue dogs, and mechanical diggers, continued to search the rubble using thermal imaging cameras.
Investigation focuses on gas leak
Fire officials have attributed the blast to a suspected gas leak in a second-floor supply line, though a full investigation has been delayed until the search for survivors is complete. The building housed both residential apartments and a short-term rental unit, according to local media reports.
A year prior, residents in the Plaka neighborhood had warned authorities about potential gas leaks or electrical faults, urging a fire drill to assess emergency response plans. The area remains one of Athens’ most popular tourist destinations.
Ongoing efforts and next steps
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the missing individuals are presumed dead or if they may still be trapped in the wreckage. The Hellenic Fire Service’s Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) and other agencies continue to coordinate the search, with no further updates on the status of the remaining missing persons.