At least two people have died and four others remain missing after a powerful explosion destroyed a building in the historic centre of Athens, Greece.

The blast occurred in the Plaka neighbourhood, situated on a small road between two of the city's most visited landmarks, the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The building is reported to have housed a holiday rental property.

The body of a woman was found on Saturday morning. A Greek fire official later told reporters that the body of a man had also been recovered.

An American man and an American woman are among the dead, according to local officials. Two more US tourists are reported missing, along with a Greek national and a UK national who lived in the building.

The missing tourists were identified after they failed to arrive for their flight at Athens airport, local police said.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said: "We are talking about an incredible disaster."

The three-storey building completely collapsed due to the force of the blast. Neighbouring buildings were damaged and debris was scattered across the road. At least three people were injured by material thrown into nearby streets, and some buildings in the area were evacuated.

A gas leak is the suspected cause of the explosion.

Emergency service workers were seen searching through rubble at the scene. Excavators and thermal imaging cameras have been deployed to assist in the search for survivors.

The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.