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A suspected gas leak caused a blast in Athens tourist district of Plaka that collapsed a two-story house near the Acropolis, leaving four people unconscious and two women injured.
Rescuers combing through rubble in Athens recovered four unconscious people after a building collapse d in a blast in the Greek capital tourist district of Plaka near the ancient Acropolis, authorities said Saturday.
The search for others continued at the site. The blast on Friday morning was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said on Friday night. He said neighboring buildings were also damaged and were evacuated. The fire department said a fourth person was found unconscious in the rubble of the two-story house in Plaka.
Plaka Blast Rescue Operation Underway
Plaka is the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, which is Greece most visited ancient monument. Earlier Saturday, three unconscious people were pulled out and taken away by ambulances. Two other women were injured from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, fire brigades said. The search and rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs.
An investigation into the blast was underway, authorities said. Video footage from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street, with parked cars smashed by falling debris. The damage extended beyond the collapsed house. People rescued by the fire department from the adjacent building were all tourists, resident Andreas Martzaklis said.
The pastor of a nearby church said this Sunday service would be held outdoors because of damage to the church. The blast struck a busy tourist area in central Athens, prompting a large emergency response. Firefighters worked at the scene on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, according to photo and publication details from the source report. Authorities have not said what caused the gas leak.
Gas Leak Suspected In Athens Explosion
Mayor Doukas said on Friday night that the blast was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, and he confirmed that neighboring buildings were damaged and evacuated. Emergency crews continued to search the rubble for other possible victims. The fire department said the fourth unconscious person was found in the rubble of the two-story house, after three others were pulled out earlier Saturday.
Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, according to fire brigades. The people rescued from that adjacent building were all tourists, according to resident Andreas Martzaklis. The rescue effort involved 30 firefighters and three dogs. An investigation into the blast was underway.
Tourists Injured In Nearby Building
Video from the scene showed rubble across the street and parked cars smashed by falling debris. The pastor of a nearby church said Sunday service would be held outdoors because of damage to the church. Plaka sits at the foot of the Acropolis hill and is a historic part of Athens near Greece most visited ancient monument. The area is popular with visitors and residents.
The Associated Press reported the details of the rescue and the aftermath. Authorities said the search for others continued after the four unconscious people were recovered.
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CP24:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Athens Building Collapse Gas Leak Rescue Operation Greece Athens Gas Blast Plaka Building Collapse Acropolis Area Rescue Greece Gas Leak Athens Firefighters Search
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