Three arrested over Athens gas explosion that killed six

Greece has arrested three people over a gas explosion in Athens that killed six people, according to US News. Two of the suspects are Greek men, and the third is an Albanian national.

The suspects are believed to have been stealing copper, and that theft is what led to the blast. They were suspected of taking copper gas pipes from a building, which caused a leak. The explosion happened in Athens' Plaka district.

Ekathimerini reported that the suspects allegedly cut into natural gas pipes to steal copper. Natural gas that escapes from a broken pipe can build up in an enclosed space and ignite, which is the kind of hazard that metal theft from utility lines can create.

The three suspected metal thieves were arrested on Thursday, 29 October, in connection with the explosion. Their names have not been given, and the case is still at an early stage.