20,000 Abandoned Buildings In Greece Pose Deadly Risks

The horrific death of a woman in Corinth, crushed by a balcony of an old abandoned building while her children watched, has brought renewed attention to the deadly hazards posed by neglected structures across the country.

Such buildings are perilous because their decay is largely invisible to passersby—loose plaster, crumbling walls, or even entire balconies can collapse unexpectedly.

The tragedy occurred on a Saturday, when the woman’s family—visiting from Germany for Easter—experienced an unimaginable loss, with her two children injured while nearby pedestrians tried to help.

Previous incidents underline the ongoing danger:

• February 2022: a 22-year-old student died under a collapsing wall in Larissa.
• Last year in Lavrio, a large balcony from a two-story building collapsed, narrowly missing pedestrians.

Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warns that in a country prone to frequent earthquakes, such structures can fail instantly, amplifying the risks posed by natural disasters.

Scale of the problem

Greece is estimated to have around 20,000 abandoned buildings nationwide. In Athens alone, the municipality counts at least 1,500 abandoned structures spread across its seven districts. Additionally, there are 3,000 listed heritage buildings in the city, many of which are publicly owned.

Abandoned buildings pose multiple threats:

• Endanger pedestrians and residents.
• Become breeding grounds for pests and urban decay.
• Degrade the attractiveness of surrounding areas for locals, visitors, and potential investors.
• Result in the loss of cultural heritage and tourism potential.
• Consume resources that could otherwise be directed to restoration and revitalisation.

Experts stress that without urgent action, these silent hazards will continue to claim lives while undermining urban spaces and Greece’s architectural legacy.