Plaka Explosion Investigation: Gas Leak Theory Emerges as Authorities Probe Second Floor

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Greek authorities are investigating what caused the deadly explosion that destroyed a two storey building in Athens’ Plaka district and killed six people.

The blast struck a building on Lysikratous Street shortly after 7:30am on Friday, September 25, causing extensive damage to nearby buildings and vehicles.

After almost 24 hours of painstaking searches, firefighters and members of the 1st EMAK completed the recovery operation, bringing all six victims out of the rubble.

Attention has now shifted to determining what triggered the explosion.

Gas leak remains a leading scenario

A gas accumulation in an enclosed space followed by ignition is currently among the leading scenarios being examined by investigators.

However, authorities have not reached an official conclusion and are continuing to investigate other possible causes.

Fire Department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakoyannis said there had been no previous complaint or emergency call reporting the smell of gas from the building.

The absence of a reported gas smell is now a key element of the investigation.

Specialist investigators from the Fire Department’s Investigative Department and the Directorate for the Prevention and Suppression of Arson Crimes are examining the wreckage for evidence.

The investigation is focusing particularly on the building’s second floor, where authorities believe the explosion may have originated.

Experts are examining the condition of gas and other installations, whether a leak could have developed within the building’s internal supply system, and whether fuel containers or appliances could have been involved.

Investigators are expected to rely heavily on physical evidence recovered from the rubble before determining the precise cause.

Six people killed in the Plaka tragedy

The explosion claimed the lives of six people.

Four of the victims were staying in a short term rental apartment on the first floor, while an elderly couple lived on the second floor.

The four visitors were identified as Florinda Hoxha and her husband, Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, along with Eris Cani and Florin Hoxha.

Three of the four visitors were of Albanian origin and held American citizenship, according to the report.

The victims had travelled to Athens and were staying together in the apartment when the explosion occurred.

Newlyweds were on their honeymoon in Greece

The tragedy has taken an even more devastating turn following details about the visitors’ trip.

Florinda Hoxha and Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick were reportedly in Athens on their honeymoon.

Relatives searching for information after the explosion reportedly identified their passports among the debris.

The other couple, Eris Cani and Florin Hoxha, were also reportedly staying in the apartment. Reports indicate that Eris Cani was pregnant and the couple had been expecting their first child.

The information has added another deeply personal dimension to a tragedy that has already claimed six lives.

Elderly couple also killed

The other two victims were the couple who lived on the second floor of the building.

They were identified as Athina Papareskou and 77 year old Edmond Hings, who was of British origin.

Their deaths brought the final toll from the disaster to six.

Investigation continues

Although the search and rescue operation has ended, emergency crews remain at the site.

Firefighters and members of the 1st EMAK are assisting with clearing operations, while investigators from the Directorate for the Prevention and Suppression of Arson Crimes continue their preliminary investigation.

The authorities are keeping all possibilities open.

The central question remains what caused the devastating blast inside the Plaka building and whether evidence from the second floor can establish how the explosion began.

Until the forensic and technical examinations are completed, the gas leak theory remains an investigation line rather than a confirmed cause.

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