Greek emergency teams are searching for five missing people after a powerful explosion caused a building to collapse in Athens’ historic Plaka district, close to some of the capital’s most visited archaeological sites.
The blast occurred on Lysikratous Street on Friday morning and was strong enough to damage surrounding buildings, shops and vehicles. Firefighters, police and medical teams rushed to the area as authorities closed nearby streets and began searching the debris.
Five people remain unaccounted for
Fire authorities said the missing include people believed to have been staying on the upper floors of the building. Reports indicated that an elderly couple and three tourists may have been inside, although officials were still working to confirm their locations.
Rescue teams have been using specialised equipment, thermal imaging, drones and a search dog while heavy machinery removes debris from the collapsed structure.
Women rescued as blast damages neighbourhood
Two women were rescued and taken to hospital, while other injuries were also reported. The force of the explosion caused damage beyond the building itself, raising concerns about the stability of neighbouring structures.
Municipal engineers have been assessing nearby properties to determine whether additional evacuations or safety restrictions are necessary.
Cause remains under investigation
Local reports have pointed to a possible gas leak, but authorities have not completed their investigation, and the precise cause has not been officially established.
That distinction is important because investigators will need to examine gas installations, structural conditions and other possible ignition sources before determining what triggered the blast.
Explosion strikes heart of tourist Athens
Plaka sits beneath the Acropolis and is normally crowded with residents and international visitors. Its narrow streets, older buildings and dense tourist activity made the emergency particularly sensitive.
The location also complicated access for emergency vehicles and increased concern that passers-by or short-term visitors could have been caught in the incident.
Search operation remains priority
Authorities are concentrating first on locating the missing and making the site safe. Only after rescue operations are complete will investigators be able to fully examine the structure and determine responsibility, if any.
The incident has left one of Athens’ best-known neighbourhoods facing an unusual combination of rescue operation, structural assessment and criminal or technical investigation. Further updates are expected as firefighters work through the rubble.
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