Six killed in blast in central Athens near Acropolis

On the morning of September 25, an explosion occurred in the tourist area of Plaka in Athens and a three-storey apartment building near the Acropolis collapsed. The tragedy killed six people, reports the Greek TV channel ERT.

Among the dead were a couple of pensioners living on the top floor and four U.S. citizens renting an apartment on the ground floor.

According to preliminary data, the cause of the explosion could be a gas leak, reports the Athens News newspaper, referring to the Athens Fire Department for the investigation of arson and explosions.

Residents of nearby houses at around 7:30 local time heard a loud bang and then the building began to fall apart. Rescuers were able to find the bodies among the wreckage thanks to service dogs.

The shock wave from the explosion damaged buildings, shops and cars adjacent to the collapsed house. The relevant authorities are investigating what happened in Athens, the channel said.

In July, a knife-wielding man wounded two Greek-American tourists in Athens. The incident again occurred near the main tourist attraction of Greece – the ancient Acropolis in the city center.

The woman was slightly injured in the leg, while the man suffered more serious: he had more severe injuries to his hands, ABC News reported, citing law enforcement agencies. The attacker was detained, the victims were taken to the hospital.