Alarming new details have emerged from the investigation into the collapse of a residential building in Petralona, Athens — a fortunate incident that caused no casualties, as all seven apartment residents evacuated just in time.
Warning Ignored Due to Cost Concerns
According to investigative journalist Vasilis Lampropoulos, speaking on Live News, structural concerns about the four-storey building had been raised just days before the collapse. Engineers had recommended urgent safety measures — specifically, applying shotcrete (sprayed concrete) to stabilize the adjacent soil — after identifying a serious risk of ground failure. However, the work was never carried out, reportedly because of the high cost involved.
Outdated Foundations and Geological Risks
The collapsed building, constructed in 1970, lacked a basement and rested on shallow foundations — approximately 1 to 1.3 meters deep — on geologically weak, sandy soil typical of the Petralona area. Experts say such conditions require a geotechnical study, costing €4,000–€5,000 — a step many property owners avoid.
In contrast, the nearby new building under construction featured much deeper foundations — around 5–6 meters — to accommodate underground storage spaces. Critically, the old building’s stability partially relied on a supporting wall that had already been excavated during the new construction — placing it directly beneath the older structure’s foundation.
Additional Contributing Factors
Investigators are also examining reports of a leaking pipe beneath the older building, which may have further weakened the soil. According to Lampropoulos, engineers told police they had essentially left the situation unresolved — opting to ‘wait’ until the new building’s concrete was poured, assuming the completed structure would eventually provide support.
All these factors — outdated design, inadequate geotechnical assessment, excavation-related destabilization, and deferred remediation — are now under scrutiny as authorities determine responsibility and prevent future incidents.