Explosion in Athens Kills Four American Tourists

Four American tourists were tragically killed in Greece due to a powerful explosion that demolished a residential building near Athens’ Acropolis, officials reported. The group included two men and two women, likely consisting of two couples, who were staying in a two-story building located in the Plaka district, an area renowned for its proximity to the Acropolis and other major attractions.

The couples were scheduled to leave on a flight from Athens at 3 p.m. on Friday but did not arrive at the airport. Police, referencing a report from Reuters, mentioned that documents and personal belongings found with the victims confirmed their status as U.S. citizens, as reported by Greek state media ERT alongside other local outlets.

In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle expressed sorrow over the incident. She posted on platform X, voicing her condolences: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of four American citizens in yesterday’s explosion in central Athens.”

The explosion, blamed on a significant gas leak, occurred at the historic neighborhood’s Plaka district on Friday. Emergency teams continued recovery efforts on Saturday, finding six bodies amidst the wreckage, which included an elderly couple and the four tourists in different apartments.

The forceful explosion, suspected to have originated from a gas leak, was investigated following substantial reports of a potent gas odor nearby, said Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. It shattered not just the building, but also caused severe damage to surrounding homes, stores, and vehicles, scattering debris and broken glass up to three blocks away.

Footage from the blast site displayed cars trapped under rubble, streets littered with remains, and the collapsed structure reduced to contorted metal and smashed concrete, with personal articles visible within the chaos.

Efforts from emergency services involved 30 firefighters, aided by three dogs, utilizing cameras and sensors to diligently search the debris for survivors or more casualties. Two women sustained injuries in an adjacent building, reported by the fire department, though thankfully were not in critical condition. Local resident Andreas Martzaklis confirmed that all who were rescued were tourists.

The explosion even affected a nearby church, damaging the structure such that services had to be moved outdoors, according to the pastor.