Authorities in Greece have convened an emergency meeting to resolve delays in clearing debris from the site of a collapsed apartment building in the Athens district of Petralona, as investigators remain unable to access the area to determine the cause of the incident.
The meeting was called by the head of the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office and brought together representatives from the Municipality of Athens and the regional authorities in an effort to find an immediate solution for removing the rubble.
Investigation at a standstill
One week after the building collapsed, large amounts of debris remain at the site, preventing two court-appointed experts from carrying out an official inspection.
According to judicial sources, the examination cannot proceed until the area has been cleared, delaying the broader prosecutorial investigation into potential criminal liability related to the collapse.
Officials said the emergency meeting aimed to break the deadlock and address what prosecutors described as an urgent situation that could pose unknown risks if left unresolved.
Responsibility for cleanup remains unclear
According to reports, authorities have yet to determine which public body is responsible for removing the debris.
Prosecutorial sources warned that the situation requires immediate action, noting that the rubble may contain residents’ personal belongings. They also pointed to possible public health concerns, citing a resident’s report that a pet dog went missing during the collapse.
Site remains under police guard
The collapse site continues to be secured by police around the clock while authorities investigate the incident.
However, investigators will not be able to move forward with determining the cause of the collapse or identifying those potentially responsible until the debris has been removed and the scene can be properly examined.
