Four American Tourists Killed After Explosion in Athens
Four American tourists were among six people killed after an explosion caused a residential building to collapse in central Athens, according to reports.
The blast occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time Friday on Lysikratous Street in the historic Plaka district, one of the most heavily visited areas of the Greek capital.
Rescue crews searched through the rubble for more than 24 hours before recovering all six bodies on Saturday.
Plaka sits at the foot of the Acropolis and is located near several major tourist attractions, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.
The neighborhood is packed with hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants and shops that attract large numbers of international visitors.
The explosion caused extensive damage throughout the area.
Debris, shattered glass and pieces of the collapsed building were scattered across surrounding streets, with damage reportedly extending as far as three blocks away.
Nearby buildings and parked vehicles were also damaged by the force of the blast.
Two women in an adjacent building were injured and taken to a hospital.
A passerby also suffered minor injuries after being struck by flying debris.
No additional deaths were reported.
The six victims included four U.S. citizens who were staying in a short-term rental apartment on the first floor of the building.
The Americans were described as two men and two women traveling as two couples.
An elderly couple living on the second floor was also killed.
Reports identified them as a British man and a Greek woman, both in their late 70s.
The four American tourists had reportedly been scheduled to check out of their rental and travel to Athens International Airport later Friday.
They never arrived for their planned departure.
Documents and personal belongings recovered from the wreckage helped authorities determine that the four victims were U.S. citizens.
The identities of the American tourists had not been publicly released in the source material provided.
The U.S. State Department said the explosion was believed to have been caused by a gas leak, though authorities were still investigating the exact cause, per Trending Politics.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas also said officials believed a gas leak was responsible.
Residents in the area had reportedly smelled gas before the explosion.
“The damage extends to the entire street as well as the street behind [the building],” Doukas said.
“We are talking about an unimaginable catastrophe.”
The force of the blast caused significant destruction in one of Athens’ best-known historic neighborhoods.
Emergency crews remained at the scene as authorities worked to secure damaged structures and determine whether additional risks remained.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle offered condolences to the families of the American victims.
She also said the U.S. Embassy was providing consular assistance to relatives affected by the tragedy.
The explosion has drawn particular attention because it occurred in an area heavily frequented by international tourists.
Plaka’s proximity to the Acropolis makes it one of the most popular destinations in Athens for visitors staying in short-term rental properties.
Investigators are now working to determine how the suspected gas leak developed and whether any warning signs were missed before the explosion.
Authorities have not announced any criminal charges or suggested that the blast was intentional.
For now, officials are treating the incident as a suspected gas-related disaster while the investigation continues.
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