At least two dead after explosion destroys building close to Acropolis in Athens

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The explosion happened in the central Plaka district of the Greek capital

At least two people have died and four more are missing after an explosion destroyed a building housing a holiday rental property in the historic centre of Athens.

The blast happened in the Plaka area of the Greek capital, a neighbourhood close to tourist sites such as the Acropolis, with local media reporting the building housed a holiday rental.

An American man and woman have died, with two more US tourists missing, AFP news agency reported citing local officials. A Greek national and UK national who lived in the building are also said to be missing.

Pictures from the scene showed emergency service workers searching through rubble, with a gas leak the suspected cause of the blast.

The body of a woman was found on Saturday morning, with a Greek fire official later telling reporters the body of a man had also been found.

The tourists were confirmed to be missing when they did not arrive for their flight at Athens airport, Reuters news agency reported citing local police.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said: "We are talking about an incredible disaster."

The three-storey building completely collapsed due to the force of the blast, with neighbouring buildings damaged and debris scattered across the road.

Local media reported people were injured by material scattered across nearby streets and some buildings needed to be evacuated.

Excavators and thermal imaging cameras have been used at the scene to search for survivors.

The explosion happened on a small road situated between two of Athens' most visited sites - the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

BBC News has contacted the UK Foreign Office.

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