Six people, including four American tourists, were killed when a suspected gas explosion destroyed a residential building in Athens’ historic Plaka district, near the Acropolis. The blast highlights the danger posed by the apparent leak in a densely populated area filled with homes, businesses and tourists.

The victims were believed to include two American couples and an elderly local couple. Rescue crews recovered all six bodies from the rubble after searching with 30 firefighters, three dogs, cameras and sensors; two women in a neighbouring building were also injured, while nearby properties, vehicles and a church were damaged.