Four Americans, Including Long Island Couple, Perish in Tragic Greece Explosion
A devastating gas explosion in Athens, Greece, has claimed six lives, including four Americans identified as Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, Florida Hoxha, Florin Hoxha, and Eris Cani. The couples were staying at an Airbnb in the historic Plaka District when a suspected gas leak caused the building to collapse. Tributes highlight the victims' community involvement and professional dedications.
A tragic gas explosion and subsequent building collapse in Athens, Greece, on Friday resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including four Americans. The U.S. victims have been identified as Huntington-raised Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick, a 2007 graduate of Huntington High School, his wife Florida Hoxha, her brother Florin Hoxha, and his wife Eris Cani. The other two victims were the building's owners, British national Edmond Hings, 78, and his Greek wife, Athena Papaprescou, 77.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx/Queens), the Westchester County Board of Legislators, and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the identities of the American casualties. The two American couples were reportedly staying at an Airbnb rental located in the affected building, on Lysikratous Street in the historic Plaka District, situated near the Acropolis, when the explosion occurred. Greek Fire Service investigators suspect that a gas leak on the second floor was the cause of the explosion, which ultimately led to the building's collapse.
Details about the victims highlight their connections and contributions. Ian Alexander Kirkpatrick was a contributing staff member to The Dispatch, the school newspaper, during his time at Huntington High School. His wife, Florida Hoxha, served as a senior attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group, where she dedicated her efforts to representing immigrants facing the risk of eviction. Eris Cani was an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Touro College of Pharmacy in Manhattan.
The communities affected by this tragedy have expressed profound grief. Representative Ocasio-Cortez shared her condolences in a social media post, stating, "On Friday, an explosion in central Athens took the lives of 6 people, including 4 New Yorkers. I am sending my deepest condolences to the families of Florin Hoxha, Eris Cani, Ian Kirkpatrick, Florida Hoxha, and all our NY-14 constituents impacted by this tragedy." Vedat Gashi, chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, spoke emotionally about Florida Hoxha at a meeting, recalling her dedication as a community servant and her willingness to help others, emphasizing, "She was committed to helping through her work. ... It’s a tragic loss." Gashi concluded the meeting by requesting a moment of silence, calling it a "hug-your-loved-ones situation." Additional information regarding the incident was not immediately available.