Plaka explosion: Four American tourists identified via DNA

Authorities have officially identified the remains of four American tourists killed in an explosion on Lysicratous Street in the Plaka district of Athens on Friday, September 25. The victims, who were staying in an Airbnb, have been identified via DNA testing as Florida Hodge and her husband Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, as well as Florida’s brother, Florin Hodge, and his wife, Eris Tsani. The couple, Florida and Ian, had recently married and were visiting Greece for their honeymoon.

Family members traveled to Greece to provide DNA samples to complete the identification process. Relatives of an elderly couple staying on the second floor of the building also provided DNA samples on Wednesday, September 30, with results expected shortly.

Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak occurring within the second-floor apartment rather than at a connection point in the main pipeline. The apartment utilized natural gas for a fireplace, kitchen, and water heater. Inspections of the central gas pipeline have not identified any external issues.