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A powerful gas explosion in Athens Plaka district collapsed a building near the Acropolis, killing six people including four U.S. citizens and injuring at least three.
A powerful explosion heard across parts of Athens caused a building to collapse in the city's Plaka district near the ancient Acropolis, killing six people and injuring at least three, authorities said Saturday.
Rescue crews recovered six bodies from the rubble of the collapsed home, according to the fire department. Greek state television ERT and other local media reported that personal documents and belongings of four of the victims, two men and two women, identified them as U.S. citizens. The blast occurred Friday morning and was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said.
Plaka District Evacuations Follow Explosion
Doukas added that neighbouring buildings were also damaged and had to be evacuated. The explosion was powerful enough to be heard across parts of the Greek capital, rattling residents and tourists in the historic tourist district. Firefighters said the six bodies were recovered in the rubble of the two-story house in Plaka, the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece's most visited ancient monument.
Crews also pulled survivors from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street. Two women were injured in the adjacent building, fire brigades said. The people rescued by the fire department from that building were all tourists, according to resident Andreas Martzaklis. At least three people were reported injured overall in the incident.
The search and rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs, the fire department said. An investigation into the cause of the blast was underway as crews continued to work at the scene through Saturday. Video footage from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street, with parked cars smashed by falling debris. The force of the explosion scattered masonry and wreckage across the narrow streets of the Plaka neighbourhood.
Gas Leak Suspected Cause of Blast
The pastor of a nearby church said that this Sunday's service would be held outdoors because of damage to the church. The blast left visible structural damage in the surrounding area, forcing the temporary closure or evacuation of several nearby buildings. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said the explosion was believed to have resulted from a massive gas leak. Authorities have not announced a final determination on the cause as the investigation continues.
The Plaka district sits directly below the Acropolis and is one of the Greek capital's most popular areas for visitors, known for its historic streets, shops and restaurants. The blast struck during a period of active tourism in the city. Emergency responders remained at the site on Saturday, combing through debris for additional victims and evidence. The fire department confirmed the recovery of all six bodies from the collapsed structure.
Four American Victims Identified
Greek state broadcaster ERT and local media outlets first reported the identities of the four American victims based on documents found with the bodies. Officials have not publicly released their names pending notification of relatives. The Associated Press reported that firefighters were photographed working at the scene in Plaka on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, following Friday's powerful blast.
Another photo showed crews at the site on Friday, Sept. 25, after the explosion caused the building to collapse and injured at least two people.
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CP24:6 dead, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building near the Acropolis in GreeceThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Athens Explosion Plaka District Acropolis US Citizens Killed Gas Leak Blast
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