Overview
- A powerful blast on Friday tore through a two‑storey residential building on Lysikratous Street in Plaka, causing collapse, injuring three people and scattering debris across nearby blocks.
- Rescue teams used specialised units, sniffer dogs, thermal cameras, drones and excavators before shifting into recovery mode as crews recovered up to six bodies from the rubble.
- Athens mayor Haris Doukas and fire officials have pointed to a likely gas infrastructure failure as a cause while the fire brigade’s crime‑investigation unit and the gas network operator continue a formal inquiry.
- Neighbours and nearby buildings were damaged and have been inspected or evacuated for safety, and authorities are coordinating with consulates to identify and notify foreign victims.
- The blast highlights safety concerns for older buildings and short‑term rentals in high‑tourism heritage districts and is expected to trigger tighter inspections and scrutiny of utility checks and rental oversight.