Apartment building collapses in Petralona following adjacent construction work

A four-story residential building located at 22 Alkminis Street in Petralona, Athens, collapsed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Preliminary reports indicate that the structural failure was likely caused by construction work on an adjacent plot that damaged the building's foundations. Five people have been detained by authorities in connection with the incident. Initial search efforts focused on four residents, all of whom have since been contacted via telephone. Rescue teams, including specialized EMAK units and search dogs, continue to scan the rubble to rule out the possibility of further trapped individuals after dogs detected a scent. Reports suggest that a resident alerted neighbors by ringing doorbells after noticing structural distress shortly before the collapse, though it remains unclear if all inhabitants had successfully evacuated. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated that municipal services are on-site assisting with the operation.