# Athens school complex remains closed amid gas odor concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gravas-school-complex-safety-concerns-in-athens > Updated: 2026-10-11T13:06:27.000Z. Sources: 54. Developments: 7. The Gravas school complex in Athens remains closed as investigations into a persistent gas odor continue. Following the decision by Athens Mayor Charis Doukas and the Athens Municipal Council to suspend in-person operations, all 18 school units have transitioned to distance learning to ensure the safety of approximately 4,000 students and 450 teachers. The situation has escalated into a political confrontation in the Greek Parliament. Deputy Interior Minister Vasilis Spanakis assured lawmakers that technical inspections found no leaks within the distribution network, while KKE Member of Parliament Aphrodite Ktena accused the government of ‘playing with the lives of children.’ Ktena argued that the source might reside within the facility’s internal installations and criticized the absence of official safety certifications. Technical investigations have expanded to include the complex's boiler room and piping networks. While the natural gas supply to the school burners has been suspended as a precaution, the exact source of the odor remains unidentified. Recent inspections by the Icon Group found no active gas leaks in the internal piping networks, but investigators discovered discrepancies between current installations and original approved studies. Specifically, at the 40th Gymnasium and Lyceum, a flexible anti-vibration connector must be replaced before the system can be reconnected to the natural gas supply, delaying the issuance of official safety certificates. Mayor Doukas continues to criticize the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Protection for a lack of involvement and is demanding a secondary, official investigation by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). The schools will remain closed until official written guarantees regarding the safety of the facilities are provided by the relevant technical services. ## Claims - A technical inspection by the gas company found no gas leak in the Gravas school complex. (disputed by 4 sources) - A natural gas company has conducted extensive inspections of the network over the last three days. (disputed by 3 sources) - Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated that the safety of students and teachers is non-negotiable. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Schools in the Gravas complex will conduct lessons via distance learning. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The first report from the gas company was expected to be delivered to the municipal authority late Sunday night. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Mayor Haris Doukas accused the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Protection of being absent from the investigation. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) has not yet conducted inspections due to a lack of access to the premises. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Athens Mayor Haris Doukas called for the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) to conduct inspections. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Approximately 4,000 students are affected by the school closures in Gravas. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The source of the gas odor remains unknown. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Schools in Gravas will remain closed until the gas odor issue is resolved. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Natural gas supply to the school complex burners has been suspended since the previous Friday. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: Gravas school complex remains closed due to gas odor investigation Schools in the Gravas complex, Athens, remain closed due to an unidentified gas odor. Approximately 4,000 students are using distance learning while technical inspections continue. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gravas-schools-closed-due-to-gas-odor-concerns ### 2026-10-09: Gravas school complex closed amid gas odor investigations The Gravas school complex in Athens is closed and operating via remote learning while technical experts investigate a persistent gas-like odor reported by students and staff since September. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grava-schools-remain-closed-amid-ongoing-gas-odor-investigations ### 2026-10-09: Grava school safety debate sparks confrontation in Greek Parliament Greek Deputy Interior Minister Vasilis Spanakis and MP Aphrodite Ktena clashed in Parliament over gas odor safety concerns at the Grava school complex, affecting 4,000 students. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grava-school-safety-debate-sparks-confrontation-in-greek-parliament ### 2026-10-07: Greece: SYRIZA-PS demands safety solutions for Grava school complex SYRIZA-PS is demanding urgent investigations and safety guarantees for the Grava school complex in Greece following concerns over a potential gas leak and the suspension of its operations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-syriza-ps-demands-safety-solutions-for-grava-school-complex ### 2026-10-07: Gravas school complex suspended due to gas odor reports The Gravas school complex in Athens has suspended in-person classes and moved to distance learning following reports of a strong gas odor. Technical inspections are underway to ensure safety. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gravas-school-complex-suspended-following-gas-leak-allegations ### 2026-10-05: Gravas school complex safety concerns spark protests in Athens Tensions rise at the Gravas school complex in Athens as parents and students demand written safety guarantees following reports of gas odors, despite official claims that no leaks were found. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/athens-mayor-requests-school-safety-inspections-following-gas-odor-reports ### 2026-10-02: Gravas school complex evacuated in Athens over gas odor reports The Gravas school complex in Athens was evacuated on Friday due to reports of a strong gas odor. Subsequent inspections by Enaon EDA and the Fire Service found no evidence of a leak. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gravas-school-complex-evacuated-due-to-gas-leak-fears --- Cite as: Athens school complex remains closed amid gas odor concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gravas-school-complex-safety-concerns-in-athens