Plaka explosion kills six in Athens building collapse

Plaka explosion natural gas leak Athens building collapse structural safety inspections tourist fatalities

A fatal explosion and building collapse in the Plaka district of Athens has resulted in the deaths of six people. The victims include four American citizens—two couples who were on a honeymoon trip—one British citizen, and one Greek citizen.

Investigators from the Directorate for the Investigation of Arson Crimes are focusing on a potential natural gas leak on the second floor of the building on Lysicratous Street. This floor was the only one with an active natural gas installation, which reportedly dates back to 1995. Experts are examining whether a spark, possibly from a light switch, triggered the blast. Gas meters and piping sections have been seized for laboratory testing.

Following the incident, the Athens Municipality and urban planning departments have initiated structural safety inspections of neighboring buildings to assess damage caused by the shockwave. Some nearby structures have sustained significant damage and may require demolition or extensive repairs. Authorities continue to work on identifying the victims through DNA testing as relatives arrive in Greece.

Entities

Arson Crimes Directorate · Athens Municipality · Directorate for the Investigation of Arson Crimes · EMAK · Edmond Hicks · Fire Service · Florinda Hoxha · Greece · Harris Dukas · Kimberly Guilfoyle · Lysicratous Street · National Technical University of Athens

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The Athens Municipality Urban Planning department is conducting inspections to assess the structural safety of buildings affected by the blast's shockwave. www.koutipandoras.gr · www.mononews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Photographic evidence shows intense corrosion on the building's main natural gas pipe. www.in.gr · serbiantimes.info
[● 4 SOURCES] A 77-year-old woman may have caused a fatal spark by attempting to use a light switch in her bathroom. sportlive.gr · www.lifo.gr
[● 15 SOURCES] The explosion resulted in the deaths of six people. sportlive.gr · www.onvolos.gr · serbiantimes.info · www.in.gr · viaranews.com · +7 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The investigation into the explosion in Plaka is focusing on a possible natural gas leak on the second floor of a building on Lysicratous Street. sportlive.gr · www.in.gr · www.tanea.gr · en.protothema.gr · tempo24.news · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The natural gas installation in the affected building dates back to 1995.
[● 5 SOURCES] Four American citizens were staying in a short-term rental apartment at the site. www.onvolos.gr · serbiantimes.info · viaranews.com · en.protothema.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The gas meter and a section of the pipe were seized for testing at Polytechnic laboratories. www.ertnews.gr · www.lifo.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The victims included four American citizens, one British citizen, and one Greek citizen. serbiantimes.info · viaranews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The explosion and subsequent building collapse occurred on Lysicratous Street in the Plaka district of Athens. www.onvolos.gr · sportlive.gr · tempo24.news