A powerful explosion tore through a building in the historic centre of Athens on Friday, killing six people, including a British national, and leaving a trail of destruction just steps from some of the Greek capital's most visited landmarks.
The blast struck in the Plaka district, a densely visited neighbourhood near the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, in an area usually crowded with tourists, restaurants and holiday rentals. The three-storey building was completely brought down by the force of the explosion, according to local reports, with debris scattered across the road and neighbouring properties damaged in the blast wave.
Among the dead were four American holidaymakers, a UK national and a Greek national. Local media reported that the Greek victims were an elderly couple who lived in the building. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the scene as catastrophic, saying: "We are talking about an incredible disaster."
By Saturday afternoon, all six bodies had been recovered from the rubble. Emergency workers continued to comb through the wreckage with excavators and thermal imaging cameras as authorities worked to determine exactly what triggered the blast. A gas leak is the suspected cause, though officials have not yet publicly confirmed the origin of the explosion.
The tourists were first reported missing after they failed to arrive for their flight at Athens airport later on Friday, Reuters reported, citing local police. That detail underscored the suddenness of the disaster and the scale of the force that destroyed the building. What had been a holiday stay in one of Europe's most recognisable historic districts ended in a fatal emergency scene that drew rescue teams, police and municipal officials.
Local media said people were injured by debris thrown into nearby streets, and some surrounding buildings had to be evacuated as a precaution. The blast damaged neighbouring structures in the tightly packed district, where old buildings stand close together and narrow roads leave little room for emergency access. The location, between two of Athens' most famous sites, added to the shock: the explosion happened on a small road situated between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, both major attractions for international visitors.
The collapse of the building and the recovery operation have raised immediate questions about safety in the city's historic centre, where residential properties, short-term rentals and tourist accommodation often sit side by side. While authorities have not yet released a full technical assessment, the suspected gas leak has focused attention on infrastructure and building maintenance in older urban areas.
The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the incident and in contact with local authorities. A spokesperson said: "We are aware of a suspected explosion in Athens and are in touch with the local authorities."
The deaths of the British national and the American visitors have turned the tragedy into an international incident, with consular officials expected to assist families as identification and repatriation procedures continue. For Athens, the explosion has left a scar in one of its most iconic districts, where the proximity of ancient monuments and modern tourism now stands in stark contrast to the devastation left behind by a single violent blast.