Building collapse in central Athens follows powerful explosion

A powerful explosion occurred on Friday, September 25, 2026, at approximately 07:30, in a building on Lysikratous Street in the Plaka district of central Athens. The blast triggered a fire and the collapse of the structure, causing damage to adjacent buildings and parked vehicles. Three people sustained minor injuries from debris, and two women were rescued from a neighboring building and transported to Gennimatas Hospital.

Authorities are searching for six missing persons. It is believed that four American tourists, two couples aged 30 to 40, were staying in a short-term rental apartment on the first floor, while an elderly couple resided on the second floor. Rescuers have discovered travel documents and a bag belonging to the tourists among the debris, confirming that the missing individuals had failed to board their scheduled flight. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, with officials preliminarily pointing to a possible internal natural gas leak.

Rescue operations, involving the Fire Service, EMAK units, thermal cameras, and search dogs, are continuing throughout the night under difficult conditions. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, have visited the site to oversee the ongoing search efforts.