Six bodies recovered after suspected gas explosion in Athens historic district

The bodies of six people have been recovered from the rubble of a two-story house after a suspected gas explosion in an historic part of the Greek capital, Athens, according to local authorities.

Documents and belongings found with four of the victims, two men and two women, indicated they were citizens of the United States, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT and other local reports.

The tourists, two American couples, had been renting an apartment on the first story of the building and were expected to check in to catch a flight from Athens airport but did not show up, a police source told Reuters.

The other two people killed were an elderly British man and his Greek wife, who lived on the second story of a three-story building, ERT reported.

The blast occurred in the Plaka district on Friday, local time, and was believed to have been caused by a major gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said.

Mr Doukas also said that neighbouring buildings were damaged and evacuated after the explosion.

"We are talking about an incredible disaster," he said.

Plaka lies at the foot of the Acropolis, Greece’s most visited ancient monument.

Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, the fire department said.

The owner of the ground-floor apartment, Mathaios Artavanis, told the Kathimerini Daily he was absent at the time of the blast.

The search-and-rescue operation involved 30 firefighters and three dogs.

They were initially looking for an elderly couple who lived in one apartment and four tourists who were staying in another as they removed debris from the building.

Cameras and sensors were used by the rescuers to locate the bodies of the six victims, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said in a televised briefing.

An investigation into the explosion has since been launched, after reports were made of a gas smell.

A year ago, locals in Plaka warned the city and utility companies about the risk of gas leaks or short circuits, according to a letter by the residents' association published by Kathimerini.

The residents had urged a fire drill to identify possible weaknesses in the emergency response plans for the district.

Video from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street and parked cars crushed by falling debris.

Resident Andreas Martzaklis said all those rescued from the adjacent building were tourists.

The pastor of a nearby church said a service on Sunday would be held outdoors because the building had been damaged.