Explosion in Athens building collapse kills 6, including 4 Americans

Four Americans lost their lives, along with two others, when an explosion caused a two-story building in Athens, Greece, to collapse, according to U.S. officials. The incident occurred on Friday morning in Plaka, a well-known tourist district near the ancient Acropolis, scattering debris across the surrounding block. On Saturday, the U.S. State Department confirmed that the four American citizens died as a result of a gas explosion. Earlier that same day, a spokesperson for the Hellenic Fire Department informed ABC News that recovery teams had located the remains of six individuals who had been reported missing immediately after the blast. Authorities had not yet released the identities of the victims at that time. Local officials stated that investigators were still working to determine the precise cause of the explosion. U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle issued a statement on X on Saturday, confirming that four U.S. citizens were among the deceased. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the loved ones of those killed and injured in this horrific incident. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time. I extend my deepest appreciation to the Greek first responders who worked tirelessly at the scene,” she said, noting that the U.S. embassy stands ready to support the affected families. According to Mayor Haris Doukas and fire officials, two people sustained injuries in a neighboring building.