ATHENS, Greece — September 26, 2026: Two people have died and four others are missing after an explosion caused a two-storey residential building to collapse in the Plaka area of central Athens, Greek authorities said.
The explosion occurred on Friday in the popular tourist district, near major landmarks including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. Three people were injured, while nearby homes, shops and vehicles were also damaged.
Rescue teams wearing protective gear and accompanied by sniffer dogs recovered the bodies of a man and a young woman from the rubble on Saturday. Authorities were searching for an elderly couple who lived in one apartment and four tourists staying in another.
Police said the tourists, two American couples, were due to leave for Athens airport on Friday afternoon but failed to check out.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said it was likely connected to the area's gas infrastructure.
Rescue operations remain difficult because much of the building has collapsed, raising concerns about the safety of neighbouring structures, which have been evacuated.
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