A powerful blast struck the historic Plaka district in central Athens on Friday morning, causing a two-storey residential building to collapse and prompting an intensive search and rescue operation, according to Reuters. The explosion occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time in an area popular with tourists, located just below the Acropolis and near the Temple of Zeus.
Explosion and Building Collapse Shakes Historic Athens Tourist District
The force of the blast destroyed the building, reducing it to a mass of twisted metal, shattered tiles, and concrete slabs. Debris, rubble, and broken glass were sent three blocks away, damaging neighboring houses, shops, vehicles, and a local church. Authorities stated that the disaster unfolded in a neighborhood packed with hotels, restaurants, and short-term rental properties where the tourist season was in full swing.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway for Missing Individuals
Emergency crews deployed 30 firefighters, six vehicles, three search and rescue dogs, excavators, and thermal cameras to comb through the wreckage, as reported by Firstpost. Rescuers faced significant challenges due to the instability of the remaining structure. Police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou told public broadcaster ERT that the operation was complex because the biggest part of the building had collapsed and adjacent buildings faced safety risks.
Authorities and public broadcaster ERT reported that those missing initially included an elderly couple who lived in the building—with the husband noted to have mobility issues—and four tourists staying in a short-term rental apartment. Police sources noted that four American tourists staying in the building were expected to check out to catch a 3 p.m. flight from Athens airport on Friday but failed to show up. Additional reports from public television indicated that a Briton and a Greek woman were among those unaccounted for on upper levels.
By Saturday, rescue teams recovered the bodies of a man and a young woman from the debris, according to updates published by Daily Sabah. Search operations continued through the night, with Mayor Haris Doukas explaining that rescue teams paused periodically to maintain silence and listen for sounds from potential survivors.
Injuries and Widespread Infrastructure Damage
At least three people were reported injured in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. According to NBC News, firefighters rescued two women from an adjacent building who were subsequently transported to a hospital. A passerby also suffered minor injuries from flying debris and shrapnel.
The blast caused extensive structural damage beyond the collapsed property. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the incident as an unbelievable disaster
and visited the site to inspect the damage, which extended along the immediate street and the street behind it. Two adjoining buildings were deemed to be in very poor condition, leading officials to evacuate neighboring structures for security reasons and begin inspections to determine whether they must be demolished. A nearby church was also damaged severely enough that its pastor announced upcoming services would need to be held outdoors.
Investigators Examine Suspected Gas Infrastructure Link
While an official cause has not been definitively established, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated on Friday that the blast was likely linked to gas infrastructure, describing it as an explosion triggered by… a very significant gas leak.
Residents in the area also reported smelling gas prior to the morning blast.
Investigators and specialized teams continued to examine the site over the weekend as emergency personnel maintained a secure cordon around the zone. The complex situation involving unstable neighboring buildings and ongoing recovery efforts kept the historic Plaka neighborhood under strict emergency oversight.
