Six people die in building collapse in Athens

A rescue operation in the Plaka district of Athens concluded on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after emergency services recovered the bodies of all six people reported missing following a massive explosion at a building on Lysikratous Street. The explosion occurred around 7:30 a.m. the previous Friday, resulting in the complete collapse of the structure.

The victims included two couples staying on the first floor and an elderly couple on the second. Among the deceased were Florida Hoxha and her husband Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, who were reportedly in Greece for their honeymoon, alongside Erisa Cani and her husband Florin Hoxha. While some sources initially identified the elderly pair as Greek, others reported they were British nationals. The four younger victims were of Albanian descent with American citizenship.

Authorities, including the Fire Department and EMAK rescue teams, conducted a complex search operation amidst hazardous debris. The Arson Investigation Directorate is currently examining the site to determine the cause of the explosion, with preliminary findings suggesting a potential natural gas leak. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas noted that two adjacent buildings have sustained severe damage and are now considered dangerous, requiring immediate expert assessment and stabilization.