3 injured after explosion causes building collapse in Athens’ tourist centre
An explosion caused a residential building to collapse in the crowded tourist centre of Athens on Friday, injuring three people and damaging houses, shops and cars across a historic neighbourhood. It was not immediately clear what caused the blast in the two-storey building in Plaka near some of Athens’ most popular sites including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus, sending rocks and broken…
A residential building in Athens' tourist hotspot, the historic Plaka neighbourhood, collapsed following an explosion on Friday, leaving three individuals injured and causing extensive damage, the city's police confirmed. The blast, which left rocks and shards of glass scattered up to three blocks away, sent twisted metal, broken balconies and shards of concrete flying as the structure crumbled.
Police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou stated that the fire brigade was still in the process of inspecting the site. Fire crews and ambulances responded promptly to the scene as thick smoke billowed above the ancient monuments. The building, a two-story structure, was left in ruins, with witnesses describing the scene as "like the whole building, the whole block blew off."
Andreas Martzaklis, a local resident, remarked on the intensity of the blast. One bystander was also injured. Two women, who had been trapped in an adjoining building, were rescued and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The area is known for its abundance of hotels and short-term rentals, with tourists often seen strolling its narrow streets lined with cafes and souvenir shops.
A police source revealed that at least five people were staying at the building, some of whom were likely tourists. It was unclear whether any others were trapped in the debris.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
