Athens building collapse: Five arrested as investigation into construction work begins

A sudden collapse of a four-story apartment building in Athens' Petralona district has led to the arrest of five individuals, including engineers, a contractor, and the landowner. The building crumbled within seconds on Tuesday afternoon while construction work was in progress on an adjacent lot.

The arrested individuals are expected to appear before prosecutors and request an extension to prepare their defense. The Municipality of Athens has provided financial assistance and temporary accommodation for the displaced residents, though many have opted to stay with relatives and friends.

“

We are sure that the excavation did not reach five meters. The first basement was at three meters.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise shortly after 1 p.m. before the building tilted and then completely collapsed. Initial fears of trapped individuals were allayed as it was confirmed that everyone had managed to evacuate in time. Firefighters and specialized rescue teams conducted thorough searches of the debris without finding anyone.

The building, constructed in the 1970s, collapsed while new construction was being erected next door. Authorities are investigating the cause, with preliminary findings suggesting the adjacent construction work may have played a role. Officials noted that excavation depths in the area are typically limited due to archaeological concerns, and the first basement level was at a depth of three meters.

“

Because in the morning, a detachment of the one building from the adjacent one and a tilt began to be observed, after two hours of observing the phenomenon, no one could do anything. It is irreversible.