5 missing after explosion fells building in heart of touristic Athens

ATHENS:  Five ​people were missing ​on Friday after an explosion caused a residential building to collapse in a touristic area of central Athens, injuring three people and damaging houses, shops and cars across a historic neighbourhood.
It was not immediately clear ⁠what caused the blast in the two-storey building in ⁠Plaka near some of Athens' most popular sites including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus.
The building where the blast ‌took place was reduced to ​a mess of twisted ⁠metal, broken balconies and hanging concrete slabs. ​The explosion also sent rocks ‌and broken glass flying as far as three blocks away.
The fire brigade ​was searching for five people, including an elderly couple that lived in the building, an official told Reuters. Part of the building was rented out to tourists, a police official said.
The ‌area is home to many hotels and short-term ​rentals. Crowds of tourists stroll its narrow streets lined with ​cafes and ‌souvenir ⁠shops.
Fire crews and ambulances rushed to the scene early on Friday as smoke billowed above the ancient monuments.
'It ​was like the whole building; the ⁠whole block blew ​off. That's how strong it was,' said local resident Andreas Martzaklis.
Authorities said a passer-by was injured. Two women who had been trapped in an adjacent building were ​rescued and being treated in hospital.