Six people have been confirmed dead after an explosion caused a building to collapse in the Plaka district of central Athens on Friday morning. The blast, which occurred shortly after 7:30 am, also damaged neighbouring properties and vehicles, and sent two women from a nearby building to hospital with injuries.
The victims were staying in the four-storey structure: four US tourists were on the first floor, while a couple—a 78-year-old British man and a 77-year-old Greek woman—lived on the second. Formal identification of the bodies is still ongoing, according to Greek authorities.
Rescue operation winds down
Fire crews spent hours combing through the rubble before scaling back the operation on Friday afternoon. Around 30 firefighters using six vehicles took part, supported by three specially trained dogs. Rescue teams employed geophones to detect any sounds beneath the debris and specialist cameras to locate possible survivors.
Two women were freed from an adjacent building and transported to hospital, while another person suffered minor injuries from flying debris. The fire service, police, and medical crews remain at the scene, with a team from the Arson Crimes Division also investigating the incident.
The cause of the blast has not yet been determined. Greek authorities have not ruled out any scenario, and the investigation is expected to focus on whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. The Plaka district, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, is one of Athens' most visited areas, known for its neoclassical architecture and narrow streets.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about the safety of older buildings in the Greek capital, many of which have been poorly maintained during years of economic crisis. Housing and migration collide in Athens political debate as the city grapples with aging infrastructure and rising demand for affordable accommodation.
Local residents expressed shock at the sudden loss of life. “We heard a loud boom and then dust everywhere,” one neighbour told Greek media. “It's a quiet area, mostly tourists and small shops. This is unimaginable.”
The US embassy in Athens has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the families of the deceased tourists. The British Foreign Office has also said it is in contact with Greek authorities regarding the British victim.
This is not the first time an explosion has shaken the Greek capital. In recent years, Athens has seen occasional attacks linked to domestic extremist groups, though such incidents have declined. The Arson Crimes Division's involvement suggests that investigators are treating the blast as potentially criminal.
As the search concludes, the focus shifts to understanding how such a tragedy could occur in one of Europe's most historic neighbourhoods. The building's collapse has also raised questions about building codes and enforcement in Greece, where many structures predate modern seismic and safety standards.
For now, the community mourns the six lives lost, while authorities work to piece together the events that led to Friday's deadly explosion.
