Four Americans Killed in Athens Explosion

Four Americans on vacation in Athens were among six people killed in a massive explosion that collapsed a residential building in Greece, U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle announced Saturday.

Guilfoyle stated she was "deeply saddened" to learn of the deaths of the U.S. tourists, who were killed Friday in Athens. "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the loved ones of those killed and injured in this horrific incident. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time. I extend my deepest appreciation to the Greek first responders who worked tirelessly at the scene," Guilfoyle said. The U.S. Embassy is providing consular assistance and support to the victims’ families.

Fire officials believe a gas leak in the second-floor supply line was the cause of the blast, but a full investigation has been delayed until the search for survivors is complete. Rescuers recovered the bodies of all six missing individuals, including two couples in their 30s and 40s from the United States who had rented the two-story building in the Plaka district, near the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus.

The American tourists were reportedly scheduled to fly out of Athens airport at 3 p.m. on Friday but never made it to their flights. Local media, citing documents and belongings found among the rubble, indicated the victims were U.S. citizens, according to Fox News.

Also killed in the explosion were a 77-year-old man and his wife, a 78-year-old Albanian-born woman, who resided on the second floor of the building. They were reportedly seen on their balcony minutes before the blast, which occurred around 7:30 a.m.

Relatives in the U.S. had taken to social media to appeal for information about the missing Americans. "The building that collapsed in Plaka about 13 hours ago is believed to have been housing my cousins Ian and Florida. They are on their honeymoon," one relative posted.

One of the American victims was the first body pulled from the wreckage on Lysikratous Street. She was found in the bathroom of the destroyed building in the early hours of Saturday and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Athens' Elpis Hospital.

TV footage showed ambulances lining the narrow street as rescue workers emerged from the debris carrying stretchers with bodies covered in foil.

Athens deputy mayor Panagiotis Harlaftis had stated earlier that hope for finding survivors was fading. "We have released the sniffer dog and completed attempts to find survivors," he said, as crews worked to access the building's interior.

Approximately 30 firefighters and six vehicles, including elite units from Greece's EMAK disaster squad, were involved in the search through the concrete debris. Two women in a neighboring building were rescued by firefighters and taken to the hospital.