A strong and unexplained odor that spread across large parts of southern Athens on Tuesday triggered widespread concern among residents and prompted a large-scale emergency response, though authorities have yet to determine the source.
Despite extensive inspections on land and at sea, officials said no immediate danger or gas leak was detected. Greece’s natural gas network operator, along with the fire brigade, coast guard and other authorities, found no evidence of leakage or industrial accident.
Authorities are examining several possible explanations, including emissions linked to ship repair activity in Perama and Salamina or tanker cleaning operations off the island of Aegina. Scientists are also considering environmental causes such as biological activity in the Saronic Gulf.
Greek geology and disaster management professor Efthymios Lekkas told state broadcaster ERT that current data does not support a natural gas leak or major industrial source, adding that further scientific analysis is needed before conclusions can be reached.
