The death toll from an explosion that caused a residential building in Athens to collapse has risen to at least six, while rescue teams are urgently searching for about six missing people who may be buried under the rubble.
The Greek fire department revealed on Saturday (26 Sep) that an explosion caused a two-story residential building in a central tourist area of Athens to collapse, resulting in six confirmed deaths. Meanwhile, the mayor of Athens indicated that the explosion is highly likely linked to a gas system.
Vassilis Vatrakoyannis, spokesperson for the fire department, said in a televised press conference that rescue teams equipped with full gear, supported by sniffer dogs, cameras, and sensors, have found six bodies. Authorities are urgently searching for an elderly couple living in one apartment and four tourists staying in another.
The fire department's crime investigation unit has been at the scene to determine the cause of the explosion after reports of a gas smell in the area, which is filled with hotels and short-term rental accommodations.
Police sources said the tourists are two American couples who were scheduled to check out and catch a flight from Athens airport at 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday (25 Sep), but they did not leave as planned.
The incident occurred in the Plaka neighborhood, close to many of Athens' most popular tourist sites including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The explosion damaged homes, shops, and vehicles nearby, and scattered debris and broken glass across three city blocks.
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Source:cna