Six people, including four American tourists, were killed Friday when a powerful explosion collapsed a residential building in Athens’ historic Plaka district near the Acropolis, officials said.
The victims—two men and two women believed to be two couples—were staying in the two-story structure when the blast struck. They had been expected to catch a flight from Athens airport at 3 p.m. Friday but never arrived. Police confirmed they were U.S. citizens based on recovered documents and belongings.
U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle mourned the deaths on X, writing: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of four American citizens in yesterday’s explosion in central Athens.”
Emergency crews recovered six bodies from the rubble Saturday. Firefighters had searched for an elderly couple and four tourists while removing debris, with 30 firefighters and three dogs assisting, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
Firefighters work at the scene following Friday’s powerful blast in Athens’ Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas attributed the blast to a major gas leak, though authorities continued investigating after reports of a gas smell in the area.
Firefighters work at the scene following Friday’s powerful blast in Athens’ Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The blast destroyed the building and damaged nearby homes, shops, and vehicles, sending rubble and shattered glass as far as three blocks away, Reuters reported.
Rescuers work at the scene following Friday’s powerful blast in Athens’ Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Video from the scene showed debris strewn across streets and parked cars crushed beneath falling rubble. The search-and-rescue operation used cameras and sensors to comb through the debris.
Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street. Resident Andreas Martzaklis told the Associated Press that all those rescued from the neighboring building were tourists.
The explosion also damaged a nearby church, forcing Sunday services outdoors.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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