Bodies of 6 people, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building in Athens, Greece
Rescuers in Athens recovered six bodies from the rubble of a two-story building that collapsed following an explosion in the historic Plaka district near the Acropolis. The dead include four Americans, with officials noting the American victims were killed on the day they were meant to check out of the lodging. Greek authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast, which Athens Mayor Haris Doukas indicated was believed to stem from a massive gas leak. Emergency teams spent hours searching the debris of the structure, which fell in seconds.
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- ✓ Rescuers recovered six bodies from the rubble of a collapsed building in Athens' Plaka district, near the Acropolis.
- ✓ Four of the victims killed in the building collapse were American citizens.
- ✓ The two-story building collapsed following an explosion on Friday morning.
- ✓ Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated the blast was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak.
What changed
Emergency responders completed their search of the rubble on Saturday and confirmed a total death toll of six people, including four American citizens.
Live updates
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6 Dead, Including 4 Americans, in Athens Building Collapse
Rescuers in Athens recovered six bodies from the rubble of a two-story building that collapsed following an explosion in the historic Plaka district near the Acropolis. The dead include four Americans, with officials noting the American victims were killed on the day they were meant to check out of the lodging. Greek authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast, which Athens Mayor Haris Doukas indicated was believed to stem from a massive gas leak. Emergency teams spent hours searching the debris of the structure, which fell in seconds.
Why it matters
The explosion struck a popular tourist area in the Greek capital, drawing immediate concern for foreign visitors near major historical landmarks. Greek authorities are seeking answers as investigators examine the structural failure of the apartment block. Plaka is a densely visited historic district located directly beneath the Acropolis.
What is confirmed
- Rescuers recovered six bodies from the rubble of a collapsed building in Athens' Plaka district, near the Acropolis.
- Four of the victims killed in the building collapse were American citizens.
- The two-story building collapsed following an explosion on Friday morning.
- Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated the blast was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak.
Still unconfirmed
- Victims of the Athens explosion included individuals from the US, UK, and Greece.
What to watch next
- Official determination of the explosion's cause from Greek investigators
- Identification of the remaining two victims not specified as American
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (18)
- The New York Times — 6 People Are Missing After Explosion in Athens Tourist District
- BBC — Athens explosion: One dead and five missing in blast near Acropolis in Plaka district
- CBS News — 2 American tourists dead after building explosion and collapse in Athens, Greece
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — 6 dead after explosion collapses building in Athens
- NBC News — 6 dead, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building near the Acropolis in Greece
- pbs.org — Bodies of 6 people, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building in Athens
- Yahoo — 2 American tourists dead after building explosion in Greece
- ABC7 Los Angeles — Bodies of 6 people, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building in Athens, Greece
- The Guardian — Greek authorities seek answers after six killed in Athens apartment block explosion
- Yahoo — Victims of Athens explosion from US, UK and Greece
- www.nbcnews.com — 6 dead, including 4 Americans, in building collapse near the Acropolis in Greece
- Fox News — Four American tourists among 6 killed after explosion levels building near Athens’ Acropolis
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