Five people are reported missing after a powerful explosion on Friday morning brought down an old building on Lysikratous Street in Plaka, the historic district in central Athens, and caused extensive damage across the surrounding area. The blast struck around 7.30am, near Vassilissis Amalias Avenue and opposite the Columns of Olympian Zeus. Authorities are still trying to establish who was inside the two-storey building at the time. According to witness accounts reported by state broadcaster ERT, a man from the United States was staying temporarily on the first floor, while an elderly couple lived on the second. The building was reportedly being used as short-term rental accommodation.
Search efforts are now focused on locating anyone trapped beneath the debris, with officers from EMAK, the Fire Service's Special Disaster Response Unit, and a specially trained dog working at the scene. A passer-by suffered minor injuries in the blast, while two women were freed from a neighbouring building and taken to hospital as a precaution and for first aid.
Investigators focus on the building’s gas installation
Initial assessments suggest the explosion may be linked to a fault or leak in the building’s internal natural gas installation, although there is no official finding yet. Athens Deputy Mayor for Construction Paris Charlaftis told ERT that the first indications point to a possible gas problem during the night, but stressed that firm conclusions will only be drawn once the Fire Service’s investigation department completes its inquiry. Information cited by ERT indicates that no fault has so far been found in the area’s main gas network, which has turned investigators’ attention to the collapsed building’s internal installations.
Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios told ERT that the building was habitable, which is why the case must be investigated thoroughly. The shock wave caused widespread damage to neighbouring buildings and shops, breaking doors, windows, facades and glass shopfronts more than 100 metres from the blast site. Residents and workers described scenes of panic, saying the bang was heard over long distances and that many initially believed it was an earthquake or even a bomb. Gas and electricity supplies to the site have been cut, and the area remains cordoned off until inspections are completed and authorities are satisfied there is no risk of further collapse.
Source: Ert.news
