Panic broke out on Sunday, June 28, 2026, around noon in central Athens after a fire erupted at a hotel in Omonia Square. The incident left three people injured — one in critical condition — and prompted a major emergency response.
Severe Injuries, Multiple Hospitalizations
According to Michalis Giannakos, president of the Greek Union of Hotel Employees (POEDIN), one of the injured — an Iranian national — was intubated and transferred in critical condition to Thriasio General Hospital due to inhalation burns. He also sustained burns to his hands, feet, and neck, according to reports from ERT.
A second injured person was taken to Sotiria General Hospital with minor injuries. A third, an Egyptian national, reportedly fell during the evacuation and suffered blunt trauma; he was treated by the Hellenic Red Cross and may not require hospital admission.
Origin of the Fire
The fire began shortly before noon on the ground floor of the operational eight-storey hotel. Eyewitnesses told local media that it started while someone was charging an electric scooter, which then exploded. Thick smoke quickly filled the building, creating suffocating conditions and trapping several people on balconies.
Firefighters responded rapidly after receiving the alarm at 11:47 a.m. They extinguished the blaze within minutes but had to evacuate all rooms as smoke had spread to upper floors. Fire service spokesperson and Chief Fire Officer Vasilis Zafeiris confirmed the cause is still under investigation.
Traffic Disruption and Restoration
As a result of the incident, vehicle traffic was suspended along 3rd September Street between Omonia Square and Verandzerou Street, as well as between Patission Avenue and 3rd September Street. Traffic flow was fully restored shortly after 1 p.m.