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Explosion in Athens' Plaka Partly Collapses Building, Injuring Three

Investigators are testing for a suspected gas leak to determine the cause of the blast.

Overview

  • A powerful explosion ripped through a two‑storey building on Lysikratous Street in Plaka on Friday, causing part of the structure to collapse and sending debris across the street.
  • Three people were reported injured and treated after the blast, with two people rescued from an adjacent building and taken to hospital.
  • Firefighters and specialist rescue teams sealed off the scene, conducted searches with trained dogs, and called in the local gas company while cutting gas and electricity as a precaution.
  • The Greek Fire Service has opened a formal probe and dispatched a specialized fire‑investigation team to inspect utility connections and assess structural damage.
  • Plaka is a densely built tourist area near the Temple of Olympian Zeus, so authorities are carrying out wider safety checks and damage assessments that could affect residents, visitors and nearby businesses.