Six people were killed after an explosion destroyed a residential building in central Athens on Friday, prompting an extensive search operation and an investigation into whether gas infrastructure caused the blast.
The explosion occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. in the historic Plaka district, close to major tourist sites including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Four American tourists, a 78-year-old British man and a 77-year-old Greek woman were among those killed, according to information provided by authorities and reports from the scene.
Around 30 firefighters with six vehicles participated in the operation, while three specially trained rescue dogs were deployed to search the collapsed structure.
Emergency crews also used specialist cameras, sensors, thermal imaging equipment and geophones to detect possible signs of people trapped beneath the debris.
All six bodies had been recovered by Saturday afternoon, while the formal identification process was continuing.
The four Americans, described as two couples, had been staying in a holiday rental in the building.
They were confirmed missing after failing to arrive for a flight from Athens airport scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The British and Greek victims were an elderly couple who lived in another apartment in the building.
Ambulances remained at the scene on Saturday to transport the bodies for identification.
The force of the explosion caused extensive damage to neighbouring buildings, shops and vehicles, scattering rubble and broken glass across nearby streets.
Two women were freed from a neighbouring building and taken to hospital, while another person suffered minor injuries from flying debris.
Some nearby buildings were also evacuated following the explosion.
Authorities were investigating the cause after reports of a gas smell in the area, with Athens Mayor Haris Doukas indicating the explosion was likely connected to gas infrastructure.
The fire service, police and medical crews remained at the site, while investigators from the fire brigade’s crime investigation unit and Arson Crimes Division examined the circumstances surrounding the blast.
Fire crews were winding down their search after hours of work among twisted metal, shattered tiles, concrete and household debris.
The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the suspected explosion and was in contact with local authorities.