Petralona, Athens building collapse near choreographer Tasos Xiarcho's studio

On the afternoon of 30 June, a multi‑storey apartment building on Alkminis 22 in the Petralona district of Athens collapsed while construction work was underway on an adjacent structure. The collapse occurred directly beside the dance studio of well‑known choreographer Tasos Xiarcho, who posted video footage from the scene expressing shock and noting the proximity of the ruined block to his school.

Fire‑fighting units and the 1st Urban Search and Rescue team (EMAK) responded with specially trained rescue dogs to search the rubble for possible victims. Five rescue teams have been deployed, including the building’s owner, the contractor and the engineer of the neighboring construction. Officials have opened an investigation into the causes of the collapse, and authorities continue to probe the site for trapped persons.

Xiarcho’s video captured his reaction: “Η πολυκατοικία έπεφτε προς τα εκεί, αν έπεφτε προς τα εδώ… αντίο,” reflecting on how the building could have fallen in a different direction.