A second body has been recovered from the rubble of a three-storey building in Plaka, central Athens, following a powerful explosion on Lysikratous Street, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Rescue operations remain under way, with four people now missing, as crews continue removing debris to gain safer access to the collapsed sections of the building.
Separate utility connections under investigation
Athens Deputy Mayor for Technical Works Paris Charlavtis told ERTnews that preliminary information indicated there may have been separate utility connections on the ground and second floors of the building.
The information has not yet been fully confirmed.
According to the initial findings, the first floor may not have had a corresponding connection.
Asked whether the connections involved small boilers installed on balconies, Charlavtis said this was among the preliminary information available to authorities.
“These are the initial indications. At the moment, because we are operating at the rear of the property, we will know more in a few hours,” he said.
Crews remove rubble
Rescue teams continue to operate among the ruins, removing construction materials and debris so that searches can proceed more safely and effectively.
Charlavtis said an initial removal of material had already been carried out early in the morning.
Athens Municipality is assisting the operation using both rented heavy machinery and municipal equipment.
Smaller machinery is being used to clear rubble and allow larger equipment to enter the site, with Charlavtis saying authorities expected to have a clearer picture of the operation by midday.
Neighbouring buildings deemed unsafe
Initial inspections have also been carried out on neighbouring buildings by the relevant planning and structural inspection authorities.
Based on the preliminary assessment, buildings adjoining the explosion site are not currently considered safe for habitation and require repairs.
Charlavtis said significant damage had been recorded, with additional inspections expected next week after rescue operations are completed.
The blast wave also damaged other properties in the area, with reports of broken windows, shutters and glass.
According to the deputy mayor, damage extends across another three city blocks, including secondary damage to apartments and shared areas.
Asked about recording damage and possible compensation for affected property owners, Charlavtis said the priority was first to determine the cause of the explosion.
The process for registering damage and any potential compensation would then be examined.
He added that the municipal authorities would consider how they could assist residents affected by the explosion.
Reports of gas smell before explosion
Rescue crews continue to work against time amid difficult conditions at the site.
Greek Police spokeswoman Konstantia Dimoglidou told ERTnews that significant Fire Service resources had been deployed from the outset, while Police had cordoned off the area and were assisting with the operation.
She said the search was particularly difficult because a substantial section of the building had collapsed.
There is also concern over the stability of nearby buildings, which have been evacuated as a precaution.
Debris is being removed in stages before firefighters can search individual areas, making the operation both time-consuming and dangerous.
Regarding the cause of the explosion, Dimoglidou confirmed that residents had reported smelling gas, although the source has not been established.
The Fire Service is conducting the investigation, with the immediate priority remaining the search for those still missing. Authorities will then focus on establishing how the explosion occurred.
