Six Dead After Athens Building Collapse Following Gas Explosion

Six people died, including four American tourists, after a gas explosion caused a residential building to collapse in Athens's Plaka district on Friday.

The blast occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the Acropolis, destroying the two-story building and damaging adjacent properties. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak. The deceased include the four American tourists who were renting an apartment on the first floor and an elderly British man and his Greek wife who lived on the second floor.

The American family was preparing to depart for the airport when the explosion happened. Rescue operations involving firefighters, dogs, excavators, and thermal cameras were conducted throughout Friday and Saturday. Two women from an adjacent building were injured and taken to hospital. Investigations into the exact cause of the blast are underway. Two nearby buildings were evacuated due to structural damage and are undergoing inspections to determine if they can be salvaged or must be demolished.