The death toll from the devastating explosion that caused a two story building to collapse in Athens’ Plaka district has risen to four after rescuers recovered two more bodies from the rubble.
A man’s body was recovered at around 11am on Saturday, while the body of a woman was found earlier at dawn.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Rescue crews are continuing their desperate search for two people who remain missing following Friday morning’s explosion on Lysikratous Street.
Four Americans were reportedly staying in a short term rental apartment on the first floor of the building, while an elderly British couple lived on the second floor.
Rescue operation continues
Firefighters are now working on the final section of rubble that has not yet been fully searched.
Special concrete cutting shears are being used as crews carefully remove debris and search for signs of the remaining missing people.
Around 30 firefighters are involved in the operation, supported by six vehicles, including two specialist rescue vehicles from the 1st EMAK.
Three search and rescue dogs are also at the scene.
Rescuers are using specialist sound detection equipment and cameras to search beneath the collapsed structure.
The Municipality of Athens is assisting the Fire Department with heavy machinery to remove debris from the site.
Explosion caused widespread destruction
The explosion occurred shortly after 7:30am on Friday, September 25, causing the building to collapse and sending a powerful blast through the surrounding area.
Nearby buildings and parked vehicles were also damaged.
Firefighters rescued two women from an adjacent building shortly after arriving at the scene. They were taken by ambulance to Georgios Gennimatas Hospital.
Another person suffered minor injuries from flying debris.
A specialist team from the Fire Investigation Division remains at the scene as authorities investigate what caused the explosion. Police and EKAB emergency crews are also continuing to assist with the operation.
Athens mayor: “An unbelievable disaster”
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the situation as extremely difficult as emergency crews continued their search.
“These are difficult hours, hours of anguish. All the Municipality’s crews, the Fire Department and EMAK are there,” Doukas said.
Asked about the possible cause of the explosion, Doukas said investigators already had some initial information but stressed that the immediate priority was finding the missing people.
He said the blast appeared to have been extremely powerful and suggested that an extensive gas leak could be among the possible causes being examined.
“There may have been an extensive leak. A very large leak,” he said.
Doukas also warned that neighbouring buildings had suffered serious damage.
“The two adjacent buildings are in very bad condition,” he said, adding that inspections were underway to determine whether they remained structurally safe or would also need to be demolished.
He said several buildings across the street were also in a difficult condition, with the blast wave affecting the wider area.
“We are talking about an unbelievable disaster,” Doukas said.
The search and rescue operation remains ongoing as crews work through the final areas of the collapsed building in the hope of locating the two people still missing.
