A major emergency has been declared in Athens’ Petralona district after a four-storey apartment building collapsed on Alkmnis Street. The incident occurred just after 1 p.m., reducing the structure to a pile of rubble. Initial reports indicated four people were trapped inside; three have since been located by their relatives, but one resident — a woman — remains unaccounted for and is not responding to calls from family members.
Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene immediately. Thirty firefighters arrived in eight vehicles, alongside personnel from the Hellenic Fire Service’s 1st E.M.A.K. unit (Special Disaster Response Unit), two search-and-rescue dogs, Greek Police, EKAB (National Centre for Emergency Care), DEFA (Hellenic Petroleum), and the Public Power Corporation (DEDDHE).
Medical support includes one EKAB mobile unit, three ambulances, and an immediate-response motorcycle unit. One person reportedly fainted at the scene. Hospitals on standby include Gennimatas, Sotiria, and Tzanio.
Possible Construction Link
According to early information, intensive construction work had recently begun on a new building adjacent to the collapsed structure — raising questions about potential impacts on structural integrity.
Rescuers have urged absolute silence around the site to aid detection efforts. Trained search dogs are already working over the debris, while teams continue probing for signs of life.
Public Reaction and Investigation
Distressing footage shows local residents flooding into the streets, shouting questions like: “Where is the person who built these houses? Could there still be people trapped?”
The incident has prompted a formal investigation. Five individuals have been summoned to the Petralona Police Station. Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Fire Service, Anastasios Pappas, has also arrived on-site to oversee operations.