Four American tourists died in an explosion in Greece that destroyed a residential building near the Acropolis in Athens. Officials stated that a total of six individuals were killed in the incident.
The tourists, comprising two men and two women, were reportedly in the historic Plaka district located at the base of the Acropolis. This area is known for its proximity to major Athens landmarks. A police source informed Reuters that the couples had planned to leave on a flight from Athens airport on Friday afternoon but failed to appear. Evidence recovered confirmed their U.S. citizenship as reported by Greek state broadcaster ERT and other media outlets.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle expressed her condolences for the tragedy in a message released on X. ‘I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of four American citizens in yesterday’s explosion in central Athens,’ she stated.
Emergency responders worked through the debris on Saturday to recover the bodies of the victims, according to authorities. The rescue team focused on finding an elderly couple residing in one apartment and four tourists in another. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, spokesman for the fire brigade, provided these updates in a televised announcement.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas indicated that a significant gas leak might have caused the explosion. Local reports mentioned a gas odor in the area, prompting an investigation. The explosion not only destroyed the two-story building but also affected surrounding residences, shops, and vehicles. Reuters highlighted that the blast spread rubble and shattered glass up to three blocks away.
Video evidence showed debris scattered along the street with vehicles crushed by falling debris. The wrecked building was left as an assortment of twisted metal, broken tiles, and concrete, with personal items strewn within the remains. The rescue operations involved 30 firefighters and three dogs, with the use of cameras and sensors to assist in locating survivors.
Two women suffered injuries in a nearby structure on Lysikratous Street, as confirmed by the fire department. Andreas Martzaklis, a local resident, stated to the Associated Press that all rescued individuals from the neighboring site were tourists.
The blast also impacted a nearby church, causing structural damage. The pastor noted that Sunday services would be held outside due to safety concerns.
The Associated Press and Reuters provided additional contributions to this report.