4 minWorld
Four American Tourists Among Six Killed in Athens Building Explosion
A gas leak is suspected after a blast destroyed a residential building in the Plaka district near the Acropolis, killing four U.S. tourists and an elderly couple, and injuring two women.
Four American tourists were among six people killed when a powerful explosion destroyed a residential building in central Athens, Greek authorities said. The blast struck a two-story building in the historic Plaka district, a neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis and close to some of the city's most heavily visited landmarks.
The four Americans — two men and two women believed to be two couples — were staying in the building when the explosion occurred Friday. The two couples had been expected to catch a flight from Athens airport at 3 p.m. Friday but never appeared, a police source told Reuters. Documents and belongings recovered with the victims indicated they were U.S. citizens, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT and other local media.
Emergency crews searching through the rubble recovered six bodies from the collapsed building on Saturday. Firefighters had been looking for an elderly couple who lived in one apartment and the four tourists staying in another as crews painstakingly removed debris, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said in a televised briefing.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle mourned the victims in a post on X. «I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of four American citizens in yesterday's explosion in central Athens,» Guilfoyle wrote.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by a major gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said. Authorities were investigating the cause after reports of a gas smell in the area.
The blast destroyed the building and damaged nearby homes, shops and vehicles, sending rubble and shattered glass as far as three blocks away, Reuters reported. Video from the scene showed debris strewn across the street and parked cars crushed beneath falling rubble. The destroyed building was reduced to twisted metal, broken tiles and concrete, with clothing and household belongings scattered among the wreckage.
The search-and-rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs, while crews also used cameras and sensors to comb through the debris. Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, according to the fire department. Resident Andreas Martzaklis told the Associated Press that all those rescued from the neighboring building were tourists.
The damage extended to a nearby church, where the pastor said Sunday services would be held outdoors because the building had been damaged in the explosion.
The Plaka district sits directly beneath the Acropolis and is one of Athens' oldest and most popular areas for visitors, known for its narrow streets, neoclassical architecture and proximity to the ancient site. The explosion sent debris across a wide area of the neighborhood, damaging vehicles and storefronts during a period of the day when the district is typically busy with tourists and residents.
Greek authorities have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect in the case. The investigation is focused on the gas leak as the likely cause, though officials said the inquiry remains ongoing. The fire brigade continued to secure the site and assess the structural damage to surrounding buildings.
The deaths of the four American tourists mark one of the deadliest incidents involving U.S. visitors in Greece in recent years. The U.S. Embassy in Athens has been in contact with Greek authorities, and consular officials are working to notify the victims' families.
4
