Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inMike Taylor & Angeliki KoutantouSaturday 26 September 2026 09:06 BSTThe explosion occurred on Friday (AP)A devastating explosion destroyed a two-storey residential property in central Athens' Plaka tourist district, leaving one young woman dead and five people missing.Emergency responders using rescue dogs are searching the ruins for an elderly local couple and four tourists who failed to catch their scheduled flight on Friday.Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stated that gas infrastructure was likely responsible for the powerful blast, which injured a passer-by and left two women trapped in an adjacent building.The blast caused extensive damage across the historic area, flinging debris up to three blocks away in a neighbourhood densely populated with tourists, short-term rentals, and monuments.In a separate maritime incident off the island of Mykonos, all 29 people aboard a Blue Star Ferries vehicle ferry were safely evacuated following a deck fire.In fullOne dead and five missing in Athens after explosion rocks tourist hotspotMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in