Building collapses after explosion in central Athens

A building in central Athens collapsed on Friday, September 24, following an explosion, according to the Greek emergency services, with local media reporting that one person was injured.

Local media speculated that the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, with the blast reportedly loud enough to be heard across the Greek capital. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.

The fire brigade said it had rescued two women from the building in Plaka, one of Athens’ oldest neighbourhoods and a major tourist destination. Both women were taken to hospital.

There was widespread confusion at the scene as a large police presence was deployed to the area and the street was cordoned off to ensure the safety of residents and passers-by.

According to information from the Fire Service, buildings near the site of the explosion on Lysikratous Street were also damaged.

Firefighters were working to extinguish a fire that broke out following the explosion. They were also inspecting the destroyed building and assessing the condition of surrounding structures to determine whether there was a risk of further collapses.

By Tamilla Hasanova