Petralona: Five detainees released – Preliminary investigation ordered

The further investigation into the causes of the collapse of the apartment building at 22 Alkminis Street, in Petralona, was ordered by the Public Prosecutor of Misdemeanors.

The five arrested persons appeared before the prosecuting authority, which ordered a preliminary investigation. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether there was a violation of the building regulations.

Until the completion of the investigation, the five arrested persons were released.

“And even Pisa leans, but it does not fall” – What residents are alleging about the construction crew

It is recalled that the timely intervention of a private engineer and the observation of an elderly resident prevented a tragedy in Petralona, where a four-storey apartment building collapsed within seconds while excavation works were being carried out for the construction of a new building on the adjacent plot. No injuries or loss of human life were reported from the collapse, a fact attributed to the timely evacuation of the building.

Initial assessments point to excavation works for the foundations of the under-construction five-storey building on the neighboring plot. According to information, the works may have caused ground displacement and loss of structural stability of the old building, which collapsed like a “house of cards.”

Members of the construction crew became “missing” immediately after the collapse of the apartment building in Petralona

There are also allegations that immediately after the collapse, some individuals who were at the construction site left the scene in a project vehicle, a fact that is also under investigation.

A decisive role in preventing the tragedy was played by a private engineer, who had no connection with the construction project of the new building. The engineer was called by the daughter of an elderly resident, after the latter noticed severe cracks in her apartment since the previous night.

During the inspection, the engineer found that a large gap had formed between the apartment building and the adjacent structure, an indication that the building had already developed a dangerous tilt. She immediately instructed the residents of the seven apartments to leave their homes. Just a few minutes later, the building collapsed. An elderly woman, who lived in a mezzanine apartment, was saved because she had gone out to a nearby bakery for a few minutes at the time of the collapse.

Particularly striking is an allegation by the daughter of the elderly woman, according to which when they informed supervising engineers about the dangerous tilt of the building, they allegedly replied: “And even Pisa leans, but it does not fall.” This allegation is under investigation. After the collapse, a large operation by the Fire Service and the 1st EMAK unit was launched, with the assistance of specially trained dogs. Initial information indicated that four people might have been trapped in the rubble. However, it was gradually confirmed that all residents were safe, while one woman who was initially reported missing was eventually located in Nafplio.

Search operations continued for several hours, as there were reports that workers or other individuals might be under the rubble. Eventually, no trapped persons were found.

Inspections of neighboring buildings

Significant damage was also caused to the adjacent apartment building, at the entrance of which a large opening was created by the falling debris. A team of engineers carried out an inspection, while a large part of the building was preemptively evacuated until it is determined whether there is a structural safety issue. Similar concern has been expressed by residents of neighboring buildings, who temporarily left their apartments until inspections are completed.

Residents of the collapsed building remain without housing and are awaiting information both on compensation and on their future accommodation. According to information, the building permit for the under-construction apartment building was issued in 2024 and revised in 2025. Experts are now examining whether the works carried out were in accordance with the approved studies, whether the necessary support measures were taken, and whether all required safety standards were observed.

Residents’ testimonies describe scenes of panic. A neighbor reported seeing the building collapse before his eyes, while he claimed that a vehicle with construction equipment was present at the site and that the crew left shortly after the incident. These claims are also under police investigation.