Three men, two Greek nationals and one Albanian, have been charged over the explosion that killed six people in Athens' ...

Three men, two Greek nationals and one Albanian, have been charged over the explosion that killed six people in Athens' Plaka neighborhood on September 25, 2026. The blast leveled a two-storey building on Lysikratous Street and is now the subject of a criminal investigation led by the Fire Service's Arson Crimes Division. Investigators believe the three were attempting to steal copper piping from the building's gas installation in the early hours of the morning, damaging the active supply line in the process and triggering a gas leak. Security camera footage reportedly places them at the building several hours before the explosion occurred at 7:30 am. Investigators are examining whether a resident on the second floor switching on a light produced the spark that set off the blast. The six people killed were four American tourists renting an apartment on the first floor, an elderly British man, and his Greek wife who lived on the second floor. The American family of four had been due to fly home that same day. Giorgos Karapanos, the lawyer representing the American victims' families, said they are struggling to process what happened. "They cannot comprehend the fact that they lost their loved ones over a piece of copper worth €20," he said, adding that the suspects reportedly knew about the gas leak and did not alert authorities. He also raised questions about whether the natural gas company bears partial responsibility for where the building's meter was installed. Police records reportedly connect the three suspects to nearly 80 prior cases between them, with one linked to roughly 45 cases dating back to 1985. They face charges of arson and causing an explosion, both allegedly committed intentionally and jointly resulting in deaths, along with multiple counts of homicide with possible intent and causing dangerous bodily harm. All three have been given until Monday, November 2 to appear before an investigating magistrate and submit their statements. The investigation remains ongoing and no convictions have been entered. #Athens #Plaka #Greece