Four Americans and a Greek national are among those killed in a suspected gas explosion, officials said.

A British man and his Greek wife are believed to have been among six people killed when a building collapsed following a gas explosion in central Athens. The blast occurred on Friday morning in the Plaka district, a popular tourist area at the foot of the Acropolis. Emergency services recovered six bodies from the scene, including the couple, who were in their 70s and lived on the second floor of the affected building overlooking Hadrian's Gate. American nationals staying in a short-term rental on the first floor also died in the incident. Three additional people were rescued during a search and rescue operation involving 30 firefighters, cameras, sensors and sniffer dogs. Two women from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street sustained injuries. Athens mayor Haris Doukas stated that investigations pointed to a massive gas leak as the likely cause. The force of the explosion damaged neighbouring buildings, shops and cars, scattering rubble and broken glass up to three blocks away. Local residents reported smelling gas in the area, which is filled with hotels and short-term lets. A nearby church announced its Sunday service would be held outdoors due to structural damage. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was aware of the suspected explosion and was in contact with Greek authorities, offering assistance to British nationals. The incident has prompted wider concerns about gas safety in buildings across the historic district.

Local media report the property included a holiday rental, with US tourists and a UK national among the missing.

Fire crews and ambulances rushed to the scene as smoke billowed above ancient monuments

Fire crews and ambulances rushed to the scene as smoke billowed above ancient monuments