A new development regarding the missing tourists from the explosion and building collapse in Plaka on Friday morning.
According to the latest information from the Fire Department, the first-floor residents reported missing are four Americans—two couples between the ages of 30 and 40.
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It appears that a 37-year-old man named Ian had made the reservation. A woman’s purse containing women’s items was found, but it also held the travel documents of a 40-year-old man named Florin. The two men were accompanied by their girlfriends, aged approximately 35 and 37.
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All four had flight reservations to the U.S., which they did not board. Reports of a British couple with their son and his girlfriend appear to be a misunderstanding, as there was a reservation on September 12 made by a British man whose details are similar to Ian’s. The information, however, is confusing, as people living in the area say that an elderly couple is reportedly living on the second floor. According to reports, they are a 78-year-old woman born in Athens and a 77-year-old British man.
Specifically, based on the information available so far, the first-floor residents are reportedly four Americans—two couples aged 30–40—who had come to Greece on vacation. They had booked the apartment through a short-term rental platform under the name Ian, age 37. An investigation at the scene turned up the U.S. passports of Ian and Florida. A bag was also found, inside which was the apartment’s rental agreement—a fact that reinforces the likelihood that the four people were inside the apartment at the time of the explosion.
The same sources report that the tourists had booked a Delta flight for today at 3:30 p.m. to return to the U.S., but they did not show up.
The rental agreement for the apartment was also found in the bag, so it is believed that all four were there when the explosion occurred.
According to what has been reported, the explosion appears to have been caused by a leak in the natural gas line on the second floor, but the Hellenic Police are waiting for the search operation for the missing persons to conclude before seeking further evidence.
As for the couple on the second floor, they are two elderly people whom police have been trying to reach by phone, but the line appears to be disconnected. The man is 77 years old and originally from Britain; the woman is 78 years old and was born in Athens.
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Neighbors report that they were there that morning and saw them on the balcony.
According to the Fire Department’s update, a search and rescue operation to locate individuals has been underway since 9:15 p.m., and at this moment, firefighting crews are clearing debris from the collapsed building.
Thirty firefighters are on the scene with six vehicles, including two specialized rescue vehicles from the 1st EMAK unit, as well as three search-and-rescue dogs.
A team from the Arson Crimes Division remains at the scene.
The City of Athens is assisting the Fire Department’s efforts by providing heavy equipment to remove debris.
READ ALSO: The moment of the explosion in Plaka—terrified guests from a nearby hotel were running for their lives (VIDEO)
It should be noted that upon arriving at the scene, this morning, rescued two women from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, who were then transported by EKAV ambulances.
Source: iefimerida.gr/Protothema.gr
