Two dead recovered after explosion in Plaka, Athens' old town

After the serious explosion in a house in Plaka, Athens' old town, two dead people have so far been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building. It was a man and a woman who had not yet been officially identified, reported the broadcaster ERTNews, citing the fire department. Four people are still missing.

According to the report, an older couple lived in the house. Four US citizens are also staying in a holiday apartment on the first floor. They are said to be two men and two women.

Danger of collapse complicates rescue work

The three-story house collapsed around 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning after a violent explosion and a fire also broke out. Initially, there were reports of a passer-by who was slightly injured by flying debris. Two women who were rescued from a neighboring house were also taken to hospital as a precaution.

The rescue work is difficult and progressing slowly because there are still walls that could collapse and neighboring buildings are also at risk, ERTNews reported. When looking for the cause, the experts concentrate on a possible gas leak; Residents claim to have smelled gas before the explosion.