Athens explosion: Six dead in blast near Acropolis in Plaka district

Athens explosion: Six dead in blast near Acropolis in Plaka district

A tragic explosion tore through a building in the historic Plaka district of Athens, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including a British citizen. The incident took place on Friday in this well-known neighbourhood close to major attractions such as the Acropolis. Among those who lost their lives were four American tourists, a UK national, and a Greek national, the latter reportedly an elderly couple residing in the same building.

Emergency responders were seen on Saturday carefully sifting through the rubble at the scene. Authorities suspect that a gas leak may have triggered the powerful blast, which led to the complete collapse of the three-storey structure. Surrounding buildings sustained damage and debris was strewn across nearby streets as a result of the explosion.

By Saturday afternoon, officials had recovered all six bodies. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the event as “an incredible disaster,” emphasizing the scale and severity of the tragedy. The missing tourists had been reported after they failed to show up for their scheduled flight from Athens airport on Friday, as confirmed by local police officials who spoke to Reuters.

The blast not only brought devastation to the building where the rental property was located but also affected the neighbourhood, underscoring the dangers posed by potential gas leaks in densely populated urban areas. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is ongoing, as authorities continue their work to understand how such a catastrophe occurred

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