World

Four people rescued from collapsed Athens building

By AAP Newswire

Sep 26, 2026

Firefighters at the scene of a powerful blast in Athens — Search efforts continue after a suspected gas explosion collapsed a building in Athens. -AP

Rescuers have combed through the rubble of a building that collapsed in a blast in the Greek capital's tourist district of Plaka, near the ancient Acropolis, recovering four unconscious people and searching for others.

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The blast on Friday morning was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens mayor Haris Doukas said.

He said neighbouring buildings were also damaged and were evacuated.

The fire department said a fourth person was found unconscious in the rubble of the two-storey house in Plaka, the historical part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece's most visited ancient monument.

On Saturday, an unconscious woman and a man were taken away by an ambulance.

Two other women were injured from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, fire brigades said.

The search and rescue involved 30 firefighters and three dogs.

An investigation into the blast was under way.

Video from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street, with parked cars smashed by falling debris.

The people rescued by the fire department from the adjacent building were all tourists, resident Andreas Martzaklis said.

The pastor of a nearby church said that this Sunday's service would be held outdoors because of damage to the church.