6 Killed, including four American tourists, in building collapse in Athens
Buildings damaged by an explosion in Athens, Greece. Photo: Reuters.
Six people were killed when a building collapsed following an explosion caused by a gas leak in a historic area of Athens, the capital of Greece. Local authorities have said that rescue workers recovered the bodies of six people from the building.
On Saturday, four people were identified as American citizens based on documents and personal belongings found with the bodies. Among them were two men and two women. Greece's state broadcaster ERT and local media outlets reported this information.
The other two deceased were an elderly couple. They lived on the second floor of the building. The deceased man was a British citizen, and the woman was a Greek citizen.
Two women in an adjacent building were injured in the explosion, according to the fire service.
The explosion occurred on Friday in the small two-story building in the popular tourist area of Plaka. The building collapsed as a result. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said the explosion may have been caused by a major gas leak.
Buildings nearby were also damaged in the explosion. They have been evacuated. Doukas said two adjacent buildings were so badly damaged that they might have to be demolished. (Source: Al Jazeera)
