Rescuers combing through the rubble of a building that collapsed in a blast in the Greek capital’s tourist district of Plaka, near the ancient Acropolis, recovered six bodies on Saturday, authorities said.
Hours Before Flight, 2 US Couples Killed In Blast In Athens Building
Greek state TV ERT and other local media reported that personal documents and belongings of four of the victims – two men and two women – identified them as US citizens. The blast on Friday morning was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said. He added that neighboring buildings were also damaged and were evacuated.
The fire department said six bodies were recovered in the rubble of the two-story house in Plaka, the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece’s most visited ancient monument. Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, fire brigades said.
Because of damage to the church. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.), the pastor of a nearby church said that this Sunday’s service would be held outdoors.
Rescue Efforts Underway Following Blast
A major rescue operation is currently in progress after a blast occurred, involving 30 firefighters and three search dogs. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is also underway.
Video footage from the scene reveals significant destruction, with debris scattered across the street and parked cars damaged by falling rubble. Residents report that the individuals rescued from an adjacent building were all tourists, according to local resident Andreas Martzaklis.
