Four American tourists and two other individuals lost their lives in a suspected gas explosion that reduced a building near the Acropolis in Athens to rubble on Friday, according to local authorities and international wire reports.
Tragedy Near the Acropolis in Athens
The blast targeted a residential and hotel structure situated close to the historic Acropolis hill in the Greek capital. According to reports from the Greek news agencies ANA and ANET, the victims included an American couple, their son, and his girlfriend, all of whom were staying at a ground-floor hotel within the building.
https://x.com/USAmbassadorGR/status/2103868221396799619
Rescuers pulled the six missing victims one by one from the debris following the blast, which also heavily damaged neighboring buildings and several parked vehicles on the street outside. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the incident as a major disaster during an inspection of the wreckage.
International Reactions and Ongoing Investigations
While the exact cause of the explosion remains under formal investigation, Greek authorities have launched a probe focusing on a suspected gas leak. Alongside the four American tourists, an elderly British man residing on an upper floor with his Greek wife was also killed in the collapse.
United States Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle addressed the tragedy in a public statement posted on the social media platform X. “Mine tanker er hos familiene til de som ble drept og skadet i denne forferdelige hendelsen,” Guilfoyle wrote, adding that the U.S. embassy is actively providing consular assistance to the grieving families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the explosion in Athens?
Greek authorities suspect a gas leak caused the powerful blast, though an official investigation into the exact cause is ongoing.
Who were the victims of the blast?
The six victims included a family of four American tourists, an elderly British man, and his Greek wife.
Where did the explosion take place?
The blast occurred in a building located near the Acropolis hill in central Athens, which also damaged nearby structures and vehicles.
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