Terrorist bomb now suspected cause of flat explosion; gun recovered

Greek police authorities suspect that an explosion that occurred at an Athens flat early Thursday afternoon, killing one man and seriously injuring a woman, may be linked to a bomb belonging to terrorists.

The anti-terrorism unit will lead the investigation after a large quantity of explosive material was discovered in the apartment, according to Kathimerini sources. 

Police say they have yet to identify the dead man and the injured young woman.

Police officers searching the flat recovered a gun.

The explosion was initially suspected to have been caused by a gas canister leak at the flat, on the third floor of an apartment in Athens’ Ambelokipi inner district.

However, firemen investigating the scene determined that the explosion occurred in the living room, not in the kitchen.

No gas bottles were found at the flat, indicating, to the investigators, that a bomb may have accidentally exploded in the hands of the people at the flat.

According to the latest reports, authorities are working to identify the deceased man and the young woman who was seriously injured.

The apartment owner told authorities that the flat had been rented out by his son, who, he added, is currently living in the Netherlands.

Witnesses reported that the explosion was powerful and could be heard from far away.

Neighbors have told police that a second woman used the flat often and that she had her own set of keys.

This story has been updated