Gas explosion in central Athens kills six people, including tourists

Six people were killed in the collapse of a residential building in the historic district of Plaka in the center of Athens. The tragedy occurred on September 25, the bodies of the dead were removed from the rubble of rescuers. This was announced at a briefing by the press Secretary of the fire service of Greece Vasilis Vatrakoyannis.

Among the dead were an elderly couple living in one of the apartments of the destroyed house and four tourists from the United States staying in another room. American citizens were planning to leave Athens on the day of the incident.

Greek Minister for the Protection of Citizens Michalis Chrysohoidis told Skai TV that the cause of the explosion was likely a gas leak.

The building was located near the Acropolis and the temple of Zeus. The shock wave caused damage to neighboring homes, shops and cars. Shards of glass and debris scattered for a distance of three blocks.