Blast partially collapses building in central Athens, injures 3

Emergency personnel operate at the site of an old building that partially collapsed following an explosion in the Plaka area of central Athens on September 25, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

A powerful explosion partially collapsed a two-story building in central Athens on Friday morning, injuring three people, Greek state broadcaster ERT reported.

The blast occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) at a two-story building on Lysicratous Street in Athens' historic Plaka district, opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

The ERT reported that one passer-by suffered minor injuries, while one woman was safely extracted from the ruins of the building and another from an adjacent building that also sustained extensive damage. Both women were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Initial indications pointed to a possible natural gas leak, according to the ERT.