Explosion Brings Down Athens Building, Five Missing

An explosion brought down a building in Athens' historic Plaka district on Friday morning, leaving five people unaccounted for.

The blast occurred at around 7:35 am at 15 Lysikratous Street, near its junction with Amalias Avenue. The Hellenic Fire Service said the missing are an elderly couple who lived on the second floor and three tourists, believed to be American, staying in a short-term rental on the first floor.

Fighters used thermal imaging cameras, search dogs, and drones to survey the site. The authorities are investigating whether a natural gas leak was to blame, with initial information suggesting gas installations were located on the second floor.