Explosion causes building to collapse near Acropolis

At least two people were hurt in the blast (AP)

A powerful blast has shaken the Greek capital’s tourist district of Plaka, near the ancient Acropolis, causing a building to collapse and injuring at least two people.

The fire department said the explosion occurred in an old two-storey building in the Plaka district, the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece’s most visited ancient monument.

The building collapsed, while neighbouring buildings were also damaged.

Firefighters rescued two women from an adjacent building, with police saying both were being taken to hospital. Local media said a passer-by was also slightly injured by the blast.

Police cordoned off the area, while the fire department said rescue crews were checking whether any more people might be trapped.

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

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, but local media said a gas leak was suspected.