A powerful explosion collapsed an old two-story building and damaged neighboring structures in Athens' historic Plaka tourist district at the foot of the Acropolis on Friday morning, authorities said.
At least three people were injured, including two female tourists rescued by firefighters from an adjacent building and hospitalized, and a passerby who sustained minor injuries.
Police cordoned off the area as fire crews with sniffer dogs searched the rubble for missing occupants. According to resident Andreas Martzaklis and media reports, an elderly couple resided on the second floor, while three tourists were believed to be staying in a short-term rental unit in the collapsed building.
The blast shattered all windows at the nearby First Greek Evangelical Church, forcing Pastor Giotis Kantartzis to announce outdoor Sunday services. Video footage showed street debris and smashed parked cars.
While the exact cause remains unclear, local media suspect a gas leak triggered the explosion. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.