At least two people have died and a British national is among four others missing after an explosion destroyed a building housing a holiday‑rental property in Athens’ historic centre.
The blast occurred in the Plaka district, a neighbourhood close to the Acropolis and other major tourist sites.
Reports say one American man and one woman have died, while two further U.S. tourists are missing. A Greek national and a UK national who lived in the building were also listed as missing.
First responders found the body of a woman on Saturday morning, with a separate report confirming a man's body had been located later that day.
Airport officials confirmed the missing tourists had failed to arrive for their flights, prompting police to seek them in the city. The Greek fire service said a gas leak was suspected as the cause of the blast.
The three‑storey building collapsed entirely, damaging neighbouring structures and scattering debris across the road. Several nearby buildings were evacuated for safety, and residents were injured by falling material.
Emergency crews used excavators and thermal‑imaging cameras to search for survivors, while Athens’ mayor Haris Doukas called the incident an “incredible disaster.”
The explosion took place on a short road between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. A UK Foreign‑Office spokesperson confirmed the local authorities were being kept fully informed.
