Intense gas odor disrupts Attica – What the authorities say

Widespread disruption was caused on Tuesday afternoon (5/19) across several municipalities in Attica due to a strong odor in the atmosphere, which became particularly noticeable mainly in the areas of the southern suburbs and along the coastal front.

According to the Fire Service, resident reports regarding the characteristic smell in these specific areas began coming in around 12:00. Consequently, forces from the Fire Service, the Coast Guard, and technical crews from DESFA (National Natural Gas System Operator) were mobilized to pinpoint the cause and origin of the odor, while evacuations of schools and businesses followed in areas where the phenomenon was most intense. Extensive checks were carried out on Attica’s natural gas network, with an emphasis on the southern suburbs, by crews from the network distributor (Enaon EDA), yielding no indication of a gas leak into the atmosphere.

As it became known, no drop in pressure was detected at any point in the DESFA network, while refineries (Helleniq – Motor Oil) also clarified that there was no issue at their facilities, nor any corresponding odor in the Thriasio plain.

DESFA stated that “these incidents are not related to its network and/or facilities, as the high-pressure network does not pass through these areas,” while reminding that “DESFA is the Operator of the National High-Pressure Natural Gas System.”

Municipalities in the southern suburbs on alert

Local municipal authorities in areas where the gas smell was present rushed to gather information and subsequently brief citizens, issuing recommendations to remain indoors with windows closed.

In a statement, the Municipality of Nea Smyrni noted:

“A strong, unpleasant odor has been observed over the last hour in the Southern Suburbs, specifically in the Municipalities of Nea Smyrni, Palaio Faliro, Agios Dimitrios, Kallithea, Glyfada, and Alimos. According to assurances from the authorities, the odor does not stem from a natural gas leak. The Municipality of Nea Smyrni has informed state bodies (Civil Protection Directorates) in order to determine exactly what is happening. Nevertheless, the PERPA service (Pollution Control and Oil & Gas Conservation) has assured the Municipality that the odor is not the result of dangerous environmental pollution. The recommendation so far is to remain indoors with closed windows.”
Due to the odor, disruption was also caused in the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios, which initially began evacuating the Town Hall and was prepared to do the same with schools in the city purely for precautionary reasons; however, the assurances received by the municipal authority from the Fire Service and other competent agencies halted any initial decisions.

“We were ready to evacuate schools because the smell started becoming very intense, but assurances came from the competent bodies that it was not a natural gas leak, so we could not proceed with such an action,” Glyfada Mayor Giorgos Papanikolaou told the ANA-MPA news agency, adding that he would remain on standby for further updates.

A wait-and-see stance was also adopted by the municipal authority of Alimos, with Mayor Andreas Kondylis stating: “Since the responsible bodies inform us that it is not something dangerous, we cannot take action. We are on alert and awaiting any new updates.”

Coast Guard on high alert

The Coast Guard was also placed on alert, instructing patrolling vessels to pay close attention to the wider maritime area of the Saronic Gulf following citizens’ reports of a strong gas odor.

According to what has become known, no indication of marine pollution or any other incident that could be linked to the foul odor was detected.

The Coast Guard carried out precautionary patrols and inspections, placing particular emphasis on maritime transit lanes for ships, as well as energy-related facilities, without yielding any alarming findings.

The competent authorities were in communication with DEPA (Public Gas Corporation) and other involved entities to determine whether there was a technical, environmental, or other cause behind the phenomenon.

The Statement from the Ministry of Civil Protection

According to an update from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, ESKEDIK (the Unified Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management) received several calls regarding an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) odor in areas of Attica.

As emphasized, Fire Service vehicles were immediately deployed to conduct inspections at the specific points of the reports.

Concurrently, it was highlighted that in communication with DESFA, no leak or other malfunction was detected at the Revithoussa facilities or any other point of the network, while ENAON EDA Atticas similarly reported that no relevant problem had been identified.

The General Secretariat of the Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN), along with the Environmental Inspectors Department and the relevant Environmental Directorate of the Attica Region, were informed about the incident.

The statement from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection in detail:

“Since 11:40, ESKEDIK has received several calls regarding an LPG odor in areas of Attica. Fire Service vehicles were immediately deployed to conduct inspections at the points from which the reports originate.

In communication with DESFA, no leak or other damage has been detected so far at the Revithoussa facilities or at any other point of the network. Correspondingly, ENAON EDA Atticas reports that no related problem has been identified.

At the same time, in communication with the Operations Center of the Coast Guard, extensive checks carried out on gas carriers (ships) have yielded no reports of any related incident.

The General Secretariat of the Environment of YPEN, along with the Environmental Inspectors Department, as well as the competent Environmental Directorate of the Attica Region, have been briefed on the incident.”

No Reports of Hospitalizations or Emergencies

In an update, the Ministry of Health emphasized that there were no reports of hospitalizations or emergency incidents in the hospitals of southern Attica, nor were any respiratory problems reported that led patients to the hospital.