Explosion in Greece, many casualties (VIDEO)
A powerful explosion destroyed a residential building in the historic center of Athens, near the Acropolis. Two people were killed, four are missing. Rescuers are clearing the rubble in search of survivors.
A powerful explosion completely destroyed a residential building in the historic center of Athens, near the Acropolis. According to the latest data, two people were killed, and four others are missing. Rescuers continue to clear the rubble in search of survivors. The explosion occurred in the Plaka district, popular among tourists. The destroyed building housed both permanent residents and foreign tourists renting apartments. One apartment was occupied by an elderly couple—a Greek citizen and a British national. Other apartments were rented by four American tourists traveling as two married couples. The alarm was raised after the Americans failed to appear at the airport for their scheduled flight. During the search operation, rescuers discovered the bodies of a man and a young woman, both US citizens, under the rubble. The fate of two other Americans and the elderly couple remains unknown. A large-scale rescue operation is ongoing at the site. Rubble is being cleared manually and with special equipment, and dog handlers with dogs have been brought in. Thermal imagers are also being used to detect possible survivors under concrete structures. The work is complicated by the threat of further collapses. Damage to load-bearing structures has created a danger for nearby buildings, so residents of neighboring houses have been evacuated and adjacent streets cordoned off.