Six people, including a British national, have died after an explosion destroyed a three-storey building in Athens, Greece, on Friday.
The blast occurred in the Plaka district, a historic area of the Greek capital located close to major tourist attractions, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Four American tourists were among those killed, alongside the British national and a Greek national. Local reports said the Greek victim and the other British casualty were an elderly couple who lived in the building.
The explosion caused the building to collapse completely, scattering debris and household belongings across the surrounding road while also damaging nearby properties.
Emergency responders recovered all six bodies by Saturday afternoon as excavators and thermal imaging equipment were deployed during the search operation.
Investigators at the scene suspect a gas leak caused the explosion.
Local media reported that some people were injured by debris and that occupants of nearby buildings were forced to evacuate.
The four tourists were reportedly declared missing after they failed to turn up for a flight from Athens airport later on Friday, according to Reuters, which cited local police.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the incident as a major tragedy, saying: “We are talking about an incredible disaster.”
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of a suspected explosion in Athens and are in touch with the local authorities.”
