A newlywed couple who had travelled to Greece for their honeymoon are among the six people killed after a building collapsed following a powerful explosion in Plaka, central Athens.
The search and rescue operation on Lysikratous Street ended on Saturday with rescuers recovering the bodies of all six people who had been reported missing.
The victims have been identified as Florinda Hoxha, her husband Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, Eris Çani, her husband Florin Hoxha, Athina Papareskou and Edmond Hings.
Four of the victims had been staying in an apartment on the first floor of the building. Reports indicate that three of them were of Albanian origin and held American citizenship.
Newlyweds were in Greece for their honeymoon
The tragedy has taken an even more devastating turn with reports that Florinda Hoxha and Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick had only recently married and were in Greece for their honeymoon.
A relative reportedly appealed for information online after passports bearing their names were discovered among the rubble.
“The building that collapsed in Plaka approximately 13 hours ago is believed to have housed my cousins, Ian and Florida,” the relative wrote, according to reports. “They are in Greece for their honeymoon.”
The couple had travelled to Athens for what should have been a celebration of their marriage before becoming victims of the devastating incident.
Another couple reportedly expecting a child
Reports have also indicated that Eris Çani and Florin Hoxha, who were staying in the same building, were expecting a child.
The circumstances surrounding the couple’s presence in the building and the details of their final hours are expected to form part of the wider investigation.
The remaining two victims were an elderly couple who lived on the second floor.
They have been identified as Athina Papareskou and Edmond Hings, 77, who was reportedly of British origin.
Investigation into explosion continues
The deadly incident occurred shortly after 7:30am on Friday, September 25, causing the building to collapse and damaging neighbouring properties and vehicles in the surrounding area.
Fire Brigade and EMAK rescue teams worked through the rubble for hours as they searched for the six missing people.
The operation ended with the recovery of the final two bodies on Saturday.
Authorities are now investigating what caused the explosion and subsequent collapse.
The possibility of a gas leak is among the lines of inquiry being examined, although investigators are expected to consider all available evidence before determining the cause.
Experts will examine the scene, the building and any relevant technical evidence as the investigation continues.
The tragedy has left six people dead in the heart of Athens, including two people who had travelled to Greece to begin their married life together.
