A blast hit a three-storey building in Athens' Plaka district. Three people were injured outside the property, while five others may be trapped under the rubble.
At about 7:30 on Friday morning, September 25, a blast hit a three-storey building in Plaka. Part of the structure collapsed. Rescue teams are checking whether residents and visitors remain under the rubble.
None of the three injured people was inside the building. Two women were in a nearby property, while a third person was walking past the site. The shockwave damaged nearby buildings, vehicles and local infrastructure. Reuters and the Associated Press reported extensive damage across the densely built historic quarter.
Two women were rescued from the neighbouring building and taken to hospital, while a passer-by suffered minor injuries from debris, according to reports from the scene.
An elderly couple lived on one floor of the building. Three foreign tourists occupied another. All five have been reported missing. Reuters said firefighters were searching for five people in total. The search now covers the collapsed sections and the spaces beneath them.
The search continues.
A nearby hotel security camera recorded the explosion. The footage shows the blast in an area known for narrow historic streets and tightly packed buildings.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the explosion. A gas leak is the main working theory. Neighbours and passers-by reported a strong smell before the blast. Local authorities, the fire service and the mayor have all been cited in reports about the suspected leak. The cause remains unconfirmed as investigators examine the site.
Search teams worked among the debris with firefighters, rescue specialists and investigators. A trained EMAK service dog was used in the search, while a fire-service investigation team examined whether a gas leak caused the blast.
Plaka sits in the heart of Athens' old town, on the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. The district is widely known as the "Barrio de los Dioses" or "Neighbourhood of the Gods". Damage to nearby buildings, vehicles, shops and infrastructure was visible before officials could measure the full impact.
Narrow streets and dense construction make access harder for emergency crews. That has added to the difficulty of the search.
As reported by ERT, the missing tourists, possible trapped occupants and heavy damage have made the rescue operation the main task at the scene. The confirmed injuries occurred outside the building. The greatest uncertainty concerns the people who may still be under the debris.
Three people are confirmed injured. Five others remain unaccounted for in reports from the scene. Rescuers must establish whether anyone is trapped. Investigators must also determine whether a gas leak caused the blast. Until then, the incident remains both a rescue operation and a serious structural emergency in one of Athens' most sensitive historic areas.
