Athens arranges housing and aid for families after building collapse

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas visited the Petralona neighborhood following the collapse of an apartment building, a disaster that left several families homeless. Doukas met with residents of both the collapsed building and an adjacent one that was evacuated for safety reasons. He emphasized that securing temporary housing for those displaced is the municipality's top priority.

The city is actively coordinating with Airbnb and local hotels to provide immediate accommodation for the affected families. Four of the seven households impacted by the collapse have already expressed interest in these arrangements. Mayor Doukas also announced that the Municipal Council has approved financial aid of 3,000 euros for each of the seven affected households to help them cope with the immediate aftermath.

"We are here again today, and as you can see, the two-meter metal sheets have been put in place to secure the area," Doukas stated, adding that social services are assisting residents with essential tasks, such as replacing lost identification documents. The municipality is also working to ensure the area is secured while investigations proceed. A preliminary investigation and judicial intervention are underway to determine the cause of the collapse and assign responsibility.

In addition to immediate relief, the municipality and the Attica Region are forming a special team of engineers. This team will conduct safety inspections on other buildings in the block to ensure their structural stability and prevent further incidents. The focus remains on quickly completing the preliminary assessment, allowing residents to retrieve their belongings, and ensuring they have safe places to stay during this difficult period.