At least two people were killed in a building explosion near the Acropolis in Athens

At least two people were killed and four others were missing in an explosion that destroyed a building housing a tourist property in the historic city center of the Greek capital, Athens.

The explosion occurred in the Plaka area, a neighborhood close to tourist sites such as the Acropolis, and local media reported that the building contained a property intended for vacation rental.

An American man and woman were killed, and two other American tourists went missing, Agence France-Presse reported, citing local officials. A Greek citizen and a British citizen who lived in the building were reported missing.

Pictures from the accident site showed emergency services personnel searching the rubble. It is suspected that a gas leak was the cause of the explosion.

The body of a woman was found on Saturday morning. A Greek fire service official later told reporters that the body of a man had also been found.

The news of the tourists missing was confirmed after they missed their flight at Athens airport, according to what Reuters reported from the local police.

“We are talking about an incredible disaster,” Athens Mayor Harris Doukas said.

The three-story building collapsed completely due to the force of the explosion, and neighboring buildings were damaged and debris was scattered on the road.

Local media reported that people were injured as a result of materials scattered in nearby streets, and some buildings were evacuated.

Excavators and thermal imaging cameras were used at the accident site to search for survivors.

The explosion occurred in a small road between two of Athens' most visited sites, the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.