Former Athens Olympic hall gutted by fire

BSS
Published On: 13 Jul 2026, 16:15

ATHENS, July 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Fire has severely damaged a badminton hall built for the Athens 2004 Olympics, causing the roof to cave in.

The fire department said it sent nearly 40 firefighters and 13 vehicles to contain the fire, which started late Sunday, inside the hall, which had not been used for several years.

It took until early Monday to control the flames, the department said.

There were no injuries reported. The badminton hall is situated in a park popular with local residents.

The complex, originally built as a temporary venue, cost over 20 million euros ($23 million). It was leased as a private concert hall after the Olympics at a cost of another 16 million euros, hosting shows including Cats, Mamma Mia! and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Greece's highest administrative court in 2012 ruled that the venue contravened building regulations and should be demolished. The venue's 20-year lease had expired in April, the city of Athens said.

 

  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
'Almost like gold': water debate rages on Italy's Aeolian Islands
Health officials report 327 fresh cases of dengue inflection, 2 deaths overnight
4 govt institutions struggle with waterlogging after days of heavy rain in Khulna
India thrash England by 270 runs in inaugural women's Test at Lord's
Faqir Mahbub for expanding Bangladesh-France cooperation in digital technology
One child dies of measles symptoms, 1,009 infected in 24 hours
Leave cancelled for health workers in flood-hit districts: Health Minister
Police arrest nearly 33,000 in nationwide anti-crime crackdown
Govt has no plan to cancel or renegotiate agreement for Laldia Container Terminal
Tax reduction creates opportunity to improve private university standards: UGC chairman
১০