Explosion in Lysikratous: Residents' fury over three arrests, street closed for 36 days
Residents and business owners in Plaka have expressed outrage following the arrest of three suspects in connection with the 25 September explosion that killed six people.
Plaka residents: 'Unthinkable they are arrested repeatedly and then freed'
Outrage and anger grip the Lysikratous neighbourhood in Plaka following three arrests made in relation to the powerful explosion on 25 September, according to In.gr. The collapse of the two-storey building claimed the lives of six people: an elderly couple on the second floor and two couples of Americans on the first floor, which operated as a short-term rental property.
Among the first to rush to the scene was Andreas Martzakis, a resident of the area, who describes the scene he witnessed after the deafening blast. Speaking to ERT news, he recounted that at that moment a Mini Cooper was passing in front of the building at number 15 — its driver was injured in the head by debris. Seconds earlier, a school minibus carrying 12 students had moved several metres further away.
Martzakis describes how in the preceding period suspicious activities had been observed in Plaka by individuals seeking copper and other metal objects. Cases of break-ins into residences, apartment blocks and a hotel had been recorded with the aim of removing metal fittings. His own shop had fallen victim to burglars twice.
"It is unthinkable that they have been arrested so many times and are out on the streets," he stated characteristically, calling for stricter handling of such incidents. The outrage is even greater because among the victims were two elderly people whom residents encountered daily in the neighbourhood. "We are so angry, so frustrated and so upset," he added, regarding a tragedy which, as he noted, was caused by a worthless material with incalculable consequences for human lives.
Thirty-six days the road closed — 470 businesses affected
Beyond the human suffering, residents and business owners face the practical consequences of the closure. Thirty-six days after the explosion, the road remains closed, despite being a main road access to Plaka. According to Martzakis, approximately 470 businesses are affected by the situation. He called upon the Athens Municipality, the competent ministry and the relevant services to consider opening at least one traffic lane, with the necessary safety measures and the installation of bollards, should this be deemed technically feasible.
Three arrested — 34 days of investigation
Details of the investigation that led to the arrests were provided by Giannis Artopoios, spokesperson for the Fire Service. The Arson Crime Unit worked for 34 days with the aim of determining what caused the creation of the gas explosive mixture that led to the building's collapse.
CCTV recordings from residences, shops and businesses were utilised in the investigation, while evidence and scientific findings from the scene were collected and analysed. In parallel, chemical and electrical engineers from the Polytechnic collaborated with the authorities to clarify the method of intervention in the pipes. "All evidence had to be combined and we had to reach, through the synthesis of frame-by-frame images, the sequence of these events," said Artopoios, emphasising that the investigation was carried out under conditions of confidentiality to prevent the evidence-gathering process from being affected.
The three arrested — aged 34, 37 and 55 — face charges of arson and explosion with intent, manslaughter with possible intent and dangerous bodily harm, as joint perpetrators and acting together. In their possession were seized metal cutters, crowbars, wire and pipe cutting tools, as well as mobile phones. They requested and were granted a deferment to appear for examination the following Monday before the investigating magistrate.
The matter of copper thefts — and 'scrap operations'
The Plaka case brings to light a broader problem that has concerned police authorities for years: the repeated thefts of copper and metal fittings from public infrastructure, but now also from private buildings and residences.
Nikos Rigas, spokesperson for police officers' unions, emphasised that tackling the phenomenon cannot be limited merely to arresting those who remove the metals. Copper acquires economic value when it is channelled onto the market, so it is necessary to examine the next stage: the businesses that receive and manage such materials. "We need to see at some point what is happening with these notorious scrap operations," he stated characteristically, raising the question of the conditions under which metals are purchased and to what extent materials of illegal origin are channelled onto the market.
Source: In.gr