Greek media have reported that a British man and his Greek wife are among those killed after a building collapsed near the Acropolis in Athens on Friday (September 25).
An explosion, believed to have been caused by a gas leak, rocked the Plaka tourist district of the city on Friday morning, with photos from the scene showing a building on a narrow street almost completely collapsed.
Six bodies recovered from the scene
Greek broadcaster ERT said that emergency crews had recovered six bodies from the scene, believed to include a British man and his Greek wife, according to PA.
The couple were reportedly both in their 70s and living on the second floor of the building overlooking the Hadrian's Gate monument. American nationals who had been staying in a short-term rental on the first floor were also killed, ERT said.
Mayor cites massive gas leak as cause
The blast is believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens mayor Haris Doukas said on Friday night.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are aware of a suspected explosion in Athens and are in touch with the local authorities. We stand ready to offer assistance to British nationals abroad 24/7.”
