Building collapse near Athens tourist district kills 4, leaves 2 missing

A residential building collapsed near a tourist area in Athens, Greece, killing or leaving missing six people, including American tourists.

Rescue authorities have recovered four bodies from the rubble of the collapsed building in the Plaka district, near the Acropolis — one of Greece's most famous landmarks — and are working to identify the victims, according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini on Saturday (local time).

The explosion, believed to have been caused by a major gas leak, struck the two-story residential building on Friday morning. Authorities deployed 30 firefighters, three search dogs and thermal imaging cameras to search for survivors.

Officials believe the six victims include four American tourists who had been renting the first floor and a British-Greek couple living on the second floor, and are continuing to search for any additional missing persons.

Residents of the Plaka district — one of Athens' most popular tourist destinations — had been warning city authorities and utility companies about risks of gas leaks and electrical short circuits since last year, urging inspections, Kathimerini reported.