Greek authorities will intensify structural safety inspections Monday of buildings surrounding the site of last week's deadly explosion in Plaka, as officials shift focus from the search operation to assessing damage across the historic district.
By Kostas Efthymiadis
The blast on Lysikratous Street leveled a two-story building, killing all six occupants, and caused extensive damage to a neighboring structure and other nearby buildings given the force of the explosion.
With the search and rescue operation now complete, authorities are focusing on evaluating damage to surrounding properties while continuing to investigate the blast's cause.
An initial inspection by the Athens Municipality's urban planning department has already been conducted, according to ERTnews.
More detailed assessments are planned to determine whether the shockwave compromised load-bearing walls or other critical structural elements in nearby buildings.
Particular concern centers on the two buildings flanking the destroyed structure, which have reportedly sustained significant damage and are not currently considered safe for habitation.
A final determination will follow completion of technical inspections. Access to the area remains restricted until those assessments are finished, with crews operating under strict safety protocols.
Investigators continue examining evidence pointing to a natural gas leak as the cause, with authorities still working to determine the exact trigger and the extent of damage to surrounding structures.
Monday's inspections are expected to provide the first clear picture of which buildings can be safely reoccupied and which will require repairs or remain off-limits.
Giorgos Kalyvas, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Combustion Installation Technicians, told ERTnews that according to information circulating within the industry, the second-floor apartment had a gas-powered instant water heater installed in its kitchen. He stressed this detail does not confirm the cause of the explosion, as the official investigation remains ongoing.
"The explosion, from what's being said, was on the second floor.
The shockwave was enormous," Mr. Kalyvas said, adding that any gas buildup, if confirmed as the cause, would have had to be substantial.
He said he had never witnessed an explosion of that scale.