Athens Mayor Haris Doukas announced on Thursday afternoon that the schools at the Gkrava complex will be suspended so that the necessary technical checks can be completed on the premises.

While the classrooms remain closed, teaching will continue without interruption through distance learning (Webex).

“We Want To Be 1000% Sure”

According to Dionysis Anastasopoulos, Regional Director of Primary and Secondary Education for Attica, “although there is no cause for concern, since there has been neither an explosion nor a smell of gas, classes will be held via Webex for as long as necessary. We want to be 1000% sure that no student will be put at risk.” He made clear that there is no reason to panic.

The decision will remain in effect until a new update is issued, at which point the smooth and safe return to in-person classes will be officially confirmed. All necessary technical checks by the relevant teams have already been arranged and scheduled, with the aim of returning students to their classrooms as quickly as possible under completely safe conditions.

The school complex in Grava was evacuated following a decision by the principals of the middle and high schools, due to a possible gas leak. According to reports, the gas leak alarm was triggered on Friday, October 2, 2026. (YIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/EUROKINISSI)

“We Do Not Take Chances With Our Children’s Safety”

In a statement, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas stressed the need to complete the checks immediately, setting a specific timeline for all the agencies involved:

“I call on the relevant companies, the ministry and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) to complete their checks so that we have the findings by Sunday. We do not take chances with our children’s safety.”

The decision was made as a precaution, to ensure that the complex’s buildings and facilities fully meet all safety rules.

The school complex in Grava was evacuated following a decision by the principals of the middle and high schools, due to a possible gas leak. According to reports, the gas leak alarm was triggered on Friday, October 2, 2026. (YIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/EUROKINISSI)

The school complex in Grava was evacuated following a decision by the principals of the middle and high schools, due to a possible gas leak. According to reports, the gas leak alarm was triggered on Friday, October 2, 2026. (YIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/EUROKINISSI)

The Decision of the Regional Directorate of Education of Attica

We decide:

That classes will be held through distance learning (Webex) at all primary and secondary schools housed in the Gkrava school complex from Friday, October 9, 2026, until the necessary maintenance work and technical inspections are completed.

Teaching will take place remotely through the Webex platform (in line with the Ministry of Education’s guidelines for distance learning), during the hours set in each school’s regular timetable.

School principals are asked to immediately inform teaching staff, students and parents/guardians, and to arrange the distance learning schedule.

This decision remains in effect until a new decision is issued, at which point the smooth and safe return to in-person classes will be confirmed.

What Happened and the Earlier Checks

This development follows the serious disruption at the complex in recent days, when students, teachers and parents reported a strong smell of gas, which even led to the precautionary evacuation of schools.

The gas supply to the complex has already been cut off as a precaution until all checks are completed.

The first specialized inspection carried out by the relevant technical companies did not find an active leak. However, it was decided to carry out a repeat, thorough second inspection of all lines and substations.