Explosion in Athens results in two deaths and four missing

An explosion occurred in the Plaka district of Athens, Greece, resulting in at least two fatalities and four individuals reported missing. The blast destroyed a building that housed a holiday rental property in the historic center of the city, which is near popular tourist attractions such as the Acropolis. According to reports from AFP, the deceased include an American man and woman, while two more American tourists are missing. Additionally, a Greek national and a UK national who resided in the building are also unaccounted for. Emergency services are currently searching through the rubble, with a gas leak suspected as the cause of the explosion. A woman's body was discovered on Saturday morning, followed by the recovery of a man's body later. Local police informed Reuters that the missing tourists were confirmed when they failed to arrive for their flight at Athens airport. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas described the incident as an 'incredible disaster.' The explosion caused the complete collapse of the three-storey building, damaging neighboring structures and scattering debris across the street. Reports indicate that some individuals were injured by debris and that nearby buildings were evacuated. Excavators and thermal imaging cameras are being utilized to search for any survivors. The explosion took place on a small road located between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.