Three men charged in connection with the deadly explosion in Athens' Plaka district will remain in custody until appearing before an investigating magistrate on Monday, Greek state broadcaster ERT reported.
The defendants were granted time to prepare their statements and are scheduled to testify at noon on Monday. They face charges including arson endangering human life and resulting in deaths, homicide with possible intent, and causing dangerous bodily harm.
According to ERT, investigators are also examining the criminal records of the three suspects. Authorities say the men have collectively come to the attention of law enforcement 78 times since 1985 for offences including drug-related crimes, robbery and theft.
Following their arrest, the suspects reportedly told police they did not know the removal of a copper pipe could trigger an explosion and lead to the fatal incident last month which killed six people. Those claims are expected to be examined further during Monday's hearings.
Attention has also focused on the testimony of a school van driver who passed the scene just seconds before the explosion while transporting 12 pupils.
Lucky escape
According to information reported by ERT, the driver told investigators he had already moved away from the building and was observing the area through his rear-view mirror when he saw the explosion occur.
He said he immediately stopped the vehicle and checked on the children, none of whom had been injured. He then informed the school administration and asked the pupils to contact their parents to reassure them.
The driver found that the school vehicle had sustained material damage but remained operational. He subsequently left the area, which had been engulfed in dust and debris, and safely transported the pupils to school.
According to ERT, the driver described himself as extremely fortunate, saying that had the vehicle passed the site just three or four seconds later, the consequences for him and, above all, for the children could have been tragic.
Video footage that has since emerged appears to show the school van passing in front of the building only moments before the deadly explosion. Authorities believe the timing may have prevented an even greater tragedy.
Source: ERT
