Athens, Sep 27 (V7N)- Six people were killed after a two-story residential building collapsed following an explosion in the Plaka district of central Athens, Greece, according to Reuters.
The Greek Fire Service confirmed the deaths on Saturday, September 26. Four of the victims were US citizens, according to authorities.
Athens Mayor said the explosion was suspected to be linked to the area's gas infrastructure. Fire Service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said rescue teams recovered six bodies from the rubble using rescue dogs, cameras and specialized sensors.
Rescuers had initially been searching for an elderly couple believed to be living in one of the apartments and four tourists staying in another.
The Fire Service's criminal investigation unit has launched an investigation into the cause of the blast. Authorities said there had reportedly been a smell of gas in the area before the explosion.
A police source said the four American victims were two couples. They had been scheduled to board a flight from Athens International Airport at around 3pm on Friday but did not arrive for the flight.
Ambulances remained stationed near the scene on Saturday as authorities prepared to transport the bodies to a hospital for identification.
US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle expressed condolences over the deaths of the four American citizens in a post on X.
The explosion completely destroyed the building in the historic Plaka district, one of Athens' most heavily visited areas. The neighborhood is located close to major tourist attractions, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The blast also damaged nearby homes, shops and vehicles. Debris and shattered glass were scattered across an area covering nearly three blocks.
The remains of the building were reduced to twisted metal, broken tiles and concrete rubble, with household belongings and clothing scattered throughout the debris as emergency crews continued their work.
ENS/SMA/AJ
