Six people, including four American tourists, were killed in a building collapse following a suspected gas leak blast in the historic centre of Athens, Greece, on Friday, authorities confirmed.

The four American victims, two men and two women, were identified by documents and belongings found among the rubble. The other two deceased were an elderly British man and his Greek wife, who resided in the collapsed two-storey building.

The powerful explosion occurred in the popular tourist district of Plaka, near the Acropolis. The blast caused significant damage to the building, leading to its collapse, and affected neighbouring structures. Two women were injured in an adjacent building, according to the fire department. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the event as an "unimaginable catastrophe," noting that the damage extended across the entire street and the one behind it.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast, but a major gas leak is the suspected culprit. The incident has raised questions about safety protocols, as residents had previously alerted authorities to potential risks in the area. Neighbouring buildings sustained damage and have been evacuated, with two adjoining structures potentially requiring demolition.

Reports from the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini indicated that the four American tourists were scheduled to depart for the US around 11:00 AM on Saturday, suggesting they were in their accommodation at the time of the incident. Their failure to board their flight back home would have been the first sign of their tragic fate.

Concerns about safety in the Plaka district were voiced by residents over a year prior. A group had sent a letter to the municipality and utility networks, highlighting risks associated with short circuits or gas leaks and calling for security exercises to identify potential weaknesses in emergency response. The citizen movement "We Remain Active" also stated that a local resident had reported smelling gas for several weeks and had warned officials.

A Greek police spokeswoman confirmed that such reports had been made, but the precise nature and origin of the gas have not yet been determined. Plaka, a densely populated area known for its historical significance and proximity to major tourist attractions like the Acropolis, faces ongoing challenges in managing infrastructure and ensuring public safety.

This incident brings renewed attention to the importance of addressing infrastructure concerns and emergency preparedness in densely populated historic urban areas. The full extent of the damage and the ongoing investigation are expected to reveal more about the circumstances leading to this devastating event.