Athens explosion causes buidling to collapse as five people missing

Five people are missing after an explosion and building collapse in Athens, the fire service says

Three tourists are reported to be amongst five individuals unaccounted for in Athens following a massive explosion that caused a two-storey building to collapse near the Acropolis. The blast struck the area after a suspected gas leak, with the facade of a 20th century property crumbling as a result.

Emergency services, including police, paramedics and fire crews, rushed to Lysicratous Street – just a short distance from the Acropolis – shortly after 7.30am local time, approximately 5.30am BST, with the surrounding area swiftly cordoned off. The explosion is reported to have ignited a fire, according to eKathimerini.

The Greek fire service confirmed that five people remain unaccounted for, as reported by the Mirror, while horrified bystanders looked on as debris littered the narrow surrounding streets.

Smoke was observed billowing above the scene, with shattered windows and damaged vehicles visible near the stricken building. The fire brigade confirmed that two women had been rescued from the building, located in Plaka, one of the Greek capital’s oldest neighbourhoods.

Both women were subsequently transferred to hospital. The fire service confirmed that 24 firefighters were deployed at the scene, though the precise cause of the explosion has yet to be officially confirmed.

It is understood the blast was triggered by a suspected gas leak, according to ERT, with neighbouring buildings also sustaining damage, as confirmed by the Fire Service.

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