British national among six killed in Athens building blast near Acropolis

Emergency services responded to a powerful explosion in central Athens on Wednesday that destroyed a residential building located near the iconic Acropolis. Authorities said the blast appeared to have been triggered by a gas leak, though investigations into the exact cause remain ongoing.

Greek officials confirmed that six people lost their lives in the incident. The victims included one British national, four American citizens, and one Greek national. Several other individuals were injured and taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Rescue teams conducted extensive search and recovery operations at the heavily damaged structure throughout the day. The explosion caused significant structural damage to the building and nearby properties, prompting evacuation of residents from surrounding residences as a precautionary measure.

Investigators from the Greek fire department and relevant authorities are examining the scene to determine the precise cause of the explosion and establish whether any safety violations contributed to the incident. The proximity to Athens' historic Acropolis district meant the blast was felt across a wide area of the capital city.