Four American Tourists Among Victims in Athens Explosion

Six people, including four American tourists, were killed in an explosion that destroyed a residential building near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The Americans, believed to be two couples, were in the Plaka district, a historic area near famous landmarks, when the explosion occurred on Friday.

The couples were scheduled for a flight out of Athens in the afternoon but did not arrive at the airport. Personal documents recovered from the site showed they were U.S. citizens, as reported by Greek state media and sources.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of four American citizens in yesterday’s explosion in central Athens, wrote U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Rescue teams found six bodies in the debris of the collapsed building, which contained four American tourists and an elderly couple. The search was laborious, involving removing debris by hand.

Initial investigations suggest a major gas leak caused the explosion, according to Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. There were reports of a gas smell before the blast.

The explosion not only destroyed the building but also impacted surrounding homes, shops, and vehicles, scattering debris and shattered glass over a wide area. The force of the explosion reached up to three blocks away.

Footage from the aftermath displayed a scene of chaos, with debris covering the streets, crushed cars, and remnants of the building like twisted metal and broken tiles.

The search-and-rescue team consisted of 30 firefighters and three rescue dogs. They used cameras and sensors to assist in finding survivors. Two women suffered injuries in an adjacent building.

Additionally, a nearby church incurred damage, prompting Sunday services to be held outdoors.