Plaka Explosion: Three Suspects Linked to 80 Police Cases

30 Oct 2026, 21:29 by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City Times

Three men arrested over the deadly explosion in Athens’ Plaka district, which killed six people, have been linked to nearly 80 previous police cases, according to Greek media reports.

The scene on Lysikratous Street, Plaka, Athens, in September 2026. Photo: InTime News

The suspects, two Greek nationals and one Albanian national, are accused of stealing copper piping from a residential building on Lysikratous Street, allegedly causing a gas leak that triggered the devastating explosion.

Police records reportedly show that the three men had previously been investigated in connection with theft, robbery, drug offences and handling stolen goods.

One suspect has police history dating back to 1985

One of the Greek suspects reportedly has the longest history of police encounters, having been linked to approximately 45 cases between 1985 and 2026.

The second Greek national was reportedly involved in 13 police cases between 2008 and 2026, while the Albanian suspect had come to the attention of authorities more than 20 times since 2019.

Together, their records account for almost 80 previous police cases spanning more than four decades.

CCTV footage captures alleged copper theft

Investigators reportedly identified the three suspects after examining security camera footage showing suspicious activity around the apartment building approximately five hours before the explosion.

According to the footage, two men entered the building’s stairwell and remained inside for several minutes. All three were subsequently seen leaving the property carrying a section of copper piping.

Investigators believe the men attempted to cut and remove part of the building’s natural gas installation, damaging an internal pipe and allowing gas to escape.

A previous technical assessment by the National Technical University of Athens reportedly established that the leak originated inside the building, near the ground-floor gas meter, rather than from an external section of the installation.

Gas leak believed to have triggered deadly explosion

According to the investigation, natural gas accumulated inside the building over several hours, reaching dangerous concentrations, including on the second floor where an elderly couple lived.

Authorities believe the explosion occurred when the elderly woman switched on a bathroom light, with an electrical spark potentially igniting the accumulated gas.

The resulting blast caused extensive destruction and claimed six lives.

School minibus narrowly avoids explosion

The investigation has also highlighted how a school minibus passed the building just seconds before the explosion.

Security footage reportedly shows the vehicle travelling along the street shortly before the blast. Its timing meant it narrowly escaped the explosion, potentially preventing further casualties.

Suspects face serious criminal charges

Greek prosecutors have charged all three men with arson, causing an explosion that endangered human life and resulted in deaths, intentional homicide with eventual intent, and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm.

The alleged offences are being investigated as having been committed jointly.

The three suspects have been granted additional time to prepare their defence statements and are scheduled to appear before an investigating magistrate on Monday, November 2.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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