Three suspects arrested in connection with the fatal explosion in Athens’ Plaka district have reportedly admitted to systematically stealing copper and identified themselves in photographs documenting their movements hours before the blast, as investigators examine how the incident unfolded.

A key breakthrough reportedly came during questioning by officers of the fire brigade’s arson division.

The explosion killed six people, including a pregnant woman, after the natural gas leak was ignited into a powerful blast. Investigators are examining whether the suspects’ alleged attempt.

According to local media reports, authorities showed the 55-year-old suspect a screenshot in which he was holding an unidentified object and asked him what it was, suggesting that it might be a knife.

The suspect denied carrying a knife but reportedly acknowledged that the object was a piece of copper pipe. He said he had taken it from a 34-year-old alleged accomplice who had entered the building first.

The statement provided investigators with an important lead in reconstructing the alleged copper theft and its possible connection to the gas leak. A related finding was reportedly confirmed by an experts’ team from the National Technical University of Athens during laboratory examinations.

Investigators are seeking to establish precisely how the pipe was cut, how the gas escaped and whether the suspects understood the danger created by their actions.

Suspect had been arrested dozens of times

The 55-year-old suspect also has an extensive criminal record, according to reports. He was arrested in early October, days after the explosion, on suspicion of attempting to steal from a car dealership in Athens’ Kolonos district.

He had reportedly been arrested 45 times previously but was released after the latest incident.

All three suspects had been released from prison within the preceding year. One was released last November, another in March and the 55-year-old in June.

Their recent releases and the 55-year-old’s reported arrest history have drawn attention to their previous encounters with the authorities. However, their alleged involvement in the explosion and the precise circumstances leading to the deaths remain matters for the ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings.

Gas leak could have been prevented

A central question is whether the explosion could have been avoided had the main natural gas supply valve been shut before the copper pipe was cut, or immediately after it was cut.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the suspects allegedly failed to close the main yellow gas shutoff valve before proceeding with the removal of the pipe.

They are then reported to have realized that they had damaged the pipe and caused gas to escape. Instead of shutting off the supply or alerting the authorities, they allegedly fled the scene.