Six bodies recovered from collapsed building after explosion in Athens

Firefighters work at the scene (Yorgos Karahalis/AP)

Rescuers combing through the rubble of a building that collapsed after a blast in Athens have recovered six bodies, authorities said.

The explosion rocked the Greek capital’s tourist district of Plaka, near the ancient Acropolis.

Greek state TV ERT and other local media reported that personal documents and belongings of four of the victims — two men and two women — identified them as US citizens.

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

He added that neighbouring buildings were also damaged and were evacuated.

The fire department said six bodies were recovered from the rubble of the two-storey house in Plaka, the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece’s most visited ancient monument.

Two women were injured in an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, the fire brigade said.

The search and rescue involved 30 firefighters and three dogs. An investigation into the blast is under way.

Video footage 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 Sunday’s service will be held outdoors because of damage to the church.