World·Europe
Four American tourists among six killed in Athens Plaka building blast
Rescue teams recovered six bodies after a powerful blast collapsed a two-storey building in Athens’ historic Plaka district on Friday, Al Jazeera reported Saturday citing AFP and AP. Documents and belongings indicated four of the victims — two men and two women — were United States citizens, Greek state broadcaster ERT and other local media said; the other two were reported as an elderly British man and a Greek woman who lived on the second floor. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said the blast was believed to have been caused by a major gas leak, neighboring buildings were damaged and evacuated, and two adjoining buildings might have to be demolished; residents had previously reported a smell of gas, a Greek police spokeswoman confirmed on ERT.
- Al JazeeraFour American tourists among 6 killed in suspected gas leak blast in Athens