A British family of four are among those missing after a suspected gas explosion destroyed a building in Athens’s historic Plaka district.
The man, his wife, their son and their son’s partner were believed to have been staying in an Airbnb apartment in the building. It is not known whether they were inside when the blast occurred.
An elderly couple who lived on another floor are also missing. Officials initially said five people had not been accounted for, while local reports put the number at six.
The explosion struck Lysikratous Street at about 7.30am, close to the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. The force of the blast caused the two-floor building to collapse and damaged neighbouring properties.
Search operation under way after Athens building explosion
Firefighters have been searching the rubble for anyone trapped, using a trained dog, thermal cameras and drones. Several hours after the incident, there was still no sign of the missing people.
A fire service spokesman said the operation was focused on locating two elderly residents and three tourists who were believed to have rented the apartment below them.
“A search and rescue operation with a dog is underway to find anyone who may be trapped,” the spokesman said.
“We have learned that an elderly couple and three other people staying in a holiday rental were living in the building, and we are trying to determine whether they were there at the time of the explosion.”
Two women in a neighbouring building were taken to Georgios Gennimatas Hospital with minor injuries, according to state broadcaster ERT. A passerby was also lightly hurt, reportedly suffering shrapnel wounds.
Windows in surrounding buildings were shattered and cars parked nearby were damaged. The ground floor of the property was believed to be unoccupied, while the elderly couple lived on the second floor.
Athens mayor Haris Doukas said the situation was “very complex” and that the investigation was continuing.
“There are missing persons and it is a very complex situation, that is why dogs are inside at the moment and are investigating,” he said.
Mr Doukas said the explosion had been caused by gas, although the circumstances remain under investigation. “The explosion was of great force, the destruction was extreme,” he said.
Matthew Artavanis, who owns the ground floor, said he learned of the incident through news reports and recognised the building in photographs. He said he called the elderly couple at about 8am, but they did not answer.
Mr Artavanis added that the husband had mobility problems.
