The bodies of an American couple were recovered on Saturday from a building in Athens that collapsed following an explosion on Friday. The couple had been staying in an apartment rented to tourists on the floor above street level in the building. Greek rescue officials confirmed the recovery of the bodies, but did not immediately release their identities. The explosion occurred early Friday in Athens's historic Plaka district, just below the Acropolis.
Four other people were missing, including an elderly British man and a Greek woman who shared an apartment. A rescue operation was ongoing, with emergency personnel using mechanical diggers to move debris and thermal-imaging cameras to search for survivors. The explosion was likely caused by a gas leak, according to Haris Doukas, the mayor of Athens. The blast brought down the small, two-storey building, causing damage along the street and behind it.
The mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, described the disaster as "incredible," adding that two nearby buildings were left in a dangerous state. Inspections were underway to determine if they could remain standing or if they also had to be demolished. A team of 30 rescuers and three sniffer dogs were working at the site of the incident. A specialised fire team was still investigating the cause of the blast.
The Plaka neighbourhood, where the incident occurred, is one of Athens's most popular tourist areas. The nearby Acropolis, one of Greece's best-known landmarks, welcomed 4.6 million visitors last year. Locals in the Plaka neighbourhood had warned the city and utility companies about the risk of gas leaks or short circuits a year ago. They had urged a fire drill to identify possible weaknesses in the emergency response plans for the district.
The explosion and subsequent collapse of the building raised concerns about safety in the area. The residents' association had published a letter in the Kathimerini newspaper, highlighting the risks and urging action. The incident has sparked an investigation into the cause of the blast and the response to the disaster.
Greek authorities were working to determine the identities of the American couple and to notify their families. The incident has also raised questions about the safety of buildings in the area and the preparedness of emergency services. The rescue operation was ongoing, with emergency personnel working to locate the missing individuals.
The incident in Athens has sparked an outpouring of concern from the international community. The US embassy in Greece was likely to be involved in the process of notifying the families of the American couple. The incident was a reminder of the importance of safety and emergency preparedness in tourist areas.
Key points
- Four other people, including an elderly British man and a Greek woman, were missing following the explosion and collapse of the building.
- The explosion was likely caused by a gas leak, according to the mayor of Athens.
- The incident raised concerns about safety in the Plaka neighbourhood, one of Athens's most popular tourist areas.
