The building permit for the property on Lysikratous Street in the Plaka area of Athens, which collapsed after a deadly explosion that killed three Albanians and three others, dates back to 1979.
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Authorities are examining this detail as part of the technical investigation to determine whether the building’s characteristics contributed to the severe consequences of the explosion.
According to information made public, the building was not classified as a monument or protected property. However, the fact that it was built before 1985 has refocused attention on the structural integrity of older buildings, particularly when they are exposed to powerful dynamic loads such as those caused by an explosion.
Lefteris Avramidis, deputy secretary of the Association of Civil Engineers and a member of the Intervention Regulation Committee, told Newsbomb that information about the building’s status is being verified.
According to Avramidis, buildings constructed during that period require particular attention because of the technical standards in force at the time.
Investigation into the explosion
Meanwhile, Greek authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. The main focus is the apartment on the second floor, where a natural gas leak is suspected.
However, at this stage there is no definitive conclusion about the exact cause of the explosion or the factors that led to the building’s collapse.
Expert Avramidis notes that the characteristics of structures built in 1979 differed from modern standards. He cites the use of mild, smooth steel, fewer fasteners, and thinner slabs and columns.
In his technical assessment, these elements, combined with the building’s heavy masonry, may have affected how the structure responded to the explosion.
However, this is a preliminary assessment. Final responsibility for determining the causes of the collapse is expected to rest with the technical investigation and the relevant expert assessments.
Calls for inspections of older buildings
The incident in Plaka has brought the safety of older buildings in densely populated urban areas back to the center of the debate. Experts are proposing more systematic vulnerability assessments of these structures, prioritizing properties that pose the greatest risk. Another proposed measure is installing gas concentration detectors in buildings that use natural gas, to identify leaks as early as possible and prevent similar tragedies.
Investigators are expected to analyze the building’s complete documentation, its design, the materials used, and the damage caused by the explosion to determine what triggered the collapse and whether the structure had any pre-existing vulnerabilities.
