ATHENS — A powerful explosion shook Athens’ historic Plaka district near the Acropolis on Friday morning, partially collapsing an old two-storey building and leaving at least two people injured, according to authorities and local reports.
The blast struck a building in Plaka, one of Athens’ best-known historic and tourist areas at the foot of the Acropolis. The explosion damaged the structure and sent rubble into the surrounding street, while nearby buildings were also affected.
Two Women Rescued After Blast
Firefighters rescued two women from an adjacent building after the explosion, with police saying they were being taken to hospital.
Local media also reported that a passer-by suffered minor injuries from debris, bringing the reported number of injured people to at least two.
Emergency crews remained at the scene as authorities checked whether anyone else could have been trapped following the partial collapse.
Police cordoned off the area while firefighters, police and medical teams responded to the incident.
Blast Struck Historic Tourist District
The explosion occurred in Plaka, a historic neighborhood immediately below the Acropolis and close to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The blast was powerful enough to be heard across central Athens, according to local media cited by Reuters. Images from the scene showed large pieces of the damaged building hanging over the street and debris scattered around parked vehicles.
The incident temporarily disrupted activity in an area normally busy with tourists and pedestrians.
Cause Still Under Investigation
Authorities had not immediately established the cause of the explosion.
Greek media reports cited by Reuters said a gas leak was suspected, but officials had not confirmed that explanation at the time of the initial reports.
That distinction is important as emergency crews continue examining the damaged building and surrounding area.
Greek reporting also indicated that the blast occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time on Friday.
Emergency Response Underway
Firefighters and police moved quickly to secure the area and search for anyone who might still require assistance.
The partial collapse left significant debris in the narrow street, damaging vehicles and creating additional hazards for emergency personnel.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating both the cause of the explosion and the structural condition of neighboring buildings.
For now, the incident has brought an unexpected emergency to one of Athens’ most recognizable historic districts, just steps from one of Greece’s most visited ancient landmarks.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
