Petralona building collapse prompts safety investigations in Athens

On the morning of the collapse of a four‑storey block on Alkmini 22 in the Petralona neighbourhood of Athens, engineers exchanged messages indicating serious excavation problems. One engineer texted a colleague at 08:45, saying “Καλημέρα, η διαρροή που έχουν δίπλα είναι πιο εκτεταμένη τελικά… θα χρειαστεί μάλλον ακόμη ένα ντουλάπι,” referring to a support box needed to stabilise the ground.

Residents had previously reported cracks, door‑jamming and wet soil caused by the nearby excavation, but authorities say their warnings were ignored. A neighbour recounted, “Η μαμά με τον μπαμπά μου μένουν στην διπλανή πολυκατοικία… ακούσαμε το ‘μπαμ’ και κατέβηκε κάτω.”

The Athens municipality is arranging temporary accommodation for displaced residents, contacting Airbnb and hotels, while the construction firm behind the new building has not accepted responsibility and it is unclear whether the project was insured. Investigators have found that the excavation permit was issued without a required geotechnical study. Judicial authorities are gathering digital evidence, photographs and expert reports to determine whether building‑code violations and inadequate ground‑support measures contributed to the collapse.