Athens building collapses after explosion kills one and leaves five missing

A residential building collapsed in central Athens on Friday following a powerful explosion that killed one person and left five others missing. A Greek fire brigade official confirmed the fatality on Saturday as emergency crews continued to search the rubble in the historic Plaka district. The blast destroyed a two-storey building near some of the city's most visited sites including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. Three people were injured in the incident while nearby houses, shops and cars sustained significant damage from the force of the explosion.straitstimes.com

Rescue efforts underway

Emergency crews assisted by rescue dogs were searching for an elderly couple who lived in one apartment and four tourists who were staying in another. The fire brigade official stated that the body of a young woman was found early on Saturday as rubble was removed from the site. The building was reduced to a mess of twisted metal, broken balconies and hanging concrete slabs after the structure failed. Shocked bystanders watched as debris was scattered across the narrow streets of the district which is known for its narrow pathways and historic architecture.

Cause under investigation

Athens mayor Haris Doukas said on Friday that the blast was likely linked to gas infrastructure though officials had not confirmed the cause. He stated that something went terribly wrong during a briefing to reporters who gathered near the cordoned off area surrounding the wreckage. The explosion occurred in Plaka which is one of Athens busiest tourist areas where hotels and short term rental properties are common. Local authorities noted that the blast triggered a fire according to reports from eKathimerini which covered the incident as it unfolded.chroniclelive.co.uk

Greek fire service confirmed that twenty four firefighters were deployed at the scene to manage the rescue and recovery operations. The fire brigade also stated that neighbouring buildings close to the explosion site sustained damage requiring assessment by structural engineers. The tourists whose nationalities are not confirmed were expected to check out to catch a flight from Athens airport at three pm on Friday but they did not show up. A police official said this information to reporters who were monitoring the situation at the scene.

Tourists among missing

Police paramedics and fire crews rushed to Lysicratous Street just minutes from the Acropolis shortly after seven thirty am local time on Friday. The surrounding area was quickly cordoned off to allow rescue teams to work safely while keeping the public at a safe distance. Smoke was visible rising from the scene with windows blown out and vehicles damaged in the vicinity of the stricken building. The explosion is reported to have triggered a fire according to eKathimerini which provided updates on the developing situation throughout the day.

Both women who were rescued from the building in Plaka were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries. The fire brigade confirmed that two women had been rescued from the structure while work continued to locate the remaining missing individuals. Authorities had not determined what caused the explosion as of Saturday morning despite the deployment of extensive rescue resources to the site. The incident has drawn attention to safety standards in historic districts where older structures may not meet modern seismic or fire codes.