Five missing after explosion fells building in heart of touristic Athens
ATHENS: Five people were missing on Friday after an explosion caused a residential building to collapse in a touristic area of central Athens, 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…
Athens experienced a devastating explosion on Friday that claimed five lives and injured three others, causing extensive damage in a tourist district. The blast dismantled a two-story building in the historic Plaka neighborhood, which is near popular landmarks like the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.
The building, which was partially rented to tourists, was left in ruins with twisted metal, broken balconies, and concrete slabs scattered around. Rocks and glass fragments rained down up to three blocks away, prompting the fire brigade to search for five missing individuals, including an elderly couple who lived in the structure.
Authorities reported that the area, known for its hotels and short-term rentals, was bustling with tourists at the time of the incident. Smoke billowed from the scene as fire crews and ambulances rushed to the location. One passerby was also injured in the blast. Rescue workers successfully extricated two women from an adjacent building, who were being treated in the hospital. Local resident Andreas Martzaklis described the explosion as catastrophic, likening it to the entire block being blown off.
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