Six dead after explosion causes building to collapse in central Athens
Deadly blast brings down residential building in Athens’ Plaka district
Poinews.com – Six people have been confirmed dead after an explosion caused a building to collapse in central Athens on Friday morning.
The incident occurred in Plaka, a historic district of the Greek capital, shortly after 7:30 a.m. The force of the blast destroyed the building where the victims had been staying and caused damage to nearby properties and vehicles.
Victims included tourists and local residents
Four US tourists had been staying on the first floor of the building. A couple lived on the floor above: a 78-year-old British man and a 77-year-old Greek woman. Authorities are still carrying out the formal identification process for the bodies recovered from the site.
The collapse triggered an extensive emergency response, with rescue crews searching the debris for hours amid concerns that people could still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Specialist search equipment deployed
About 30 firefighters took part in the operation, supported by six emergency vehicles and three specially trained search dogs. Teams also used geophones, devices designed to pick up possible sounds from beneath collapsed structures, as well as specialist cameras to examine inaccessible spaces in the wreckage.
Fire crews are now scaling back the search after completing the main rescue effort. Emergency personnel, police officers and medical teams remain in the area while the scene continues to be secured and assessed.
Two women were rescued from a neighbouring building on Friday and taken to hospital. A further person sustained minor injuries after being struck by debris thrown by the explosion.
Investigation into the cause continues
The cause of the blast has not yet been established. Investigators from the Arson Crimes Division are working alongside the fire service and police to determine what led to the explosion and subsequent collapse.
The inquiry is expected to examine the condition of the building, the origin of the blast and the extent of damage across the surrounding area. Nearby residents and property owners may also face disruption while safety checks continue.
Plaka is one of Athens’ best-known central neighbourhoods, located close to major historic landmarks and frequented by residents and visitors. The incident has therefore affected an area with a dense mix of homes, accommodation and local businesses.
Authorities have not released further details about what may have caused the explosion. The priority at the scene remains the recovery operation, formal identification of the victims, medical care for those injured and the investigation into the circumstances of the disaster.
Friday’s collapse has left six people dead and caused significant damage in one of the capital’s central districts, as emergency and investigative teams continue their work.
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