The intense gas odor that became noticeable in many areas of Attica was discussed on Parapolitika 90.1 by Alimos Mayor Andreas Kondylis, speaking on the “Morning Starting Point” show with journalist Eris Panagou.
Read: Enaon EDA on intense smell in Attica: Inspections completed – No natural gas leak
Mr. Kondylis described the situation that prevailed in Alimos, noting that the smell was particularly intense and caused great concern among residents and businesses. “It was very intense and in several places extremely unpleasant, to the point that it caused great distress to people. There were even businesses that proceeded preventively to evacuate buildings, as no one knew where the smell was coming from,” he characteristically stated.
Intense gas odor in Attica: “Various scenarios were ruled out without any answer”
The mayor of Alimos emphasized that there was continuous communication with the Fire Service, Civil Protection and competent authorities, however no clear explanation was given for the cause of the phenomenon. As he said, various possible scenarios were gradually ruled out, such as leaks from natural gas, Revythousa or even Psyttalia due to weather conditions and southern winds.
At the same time, he explained that the Municipality did not proceed with evacuations of schools or municipal buildings, as it quickly became apparent that the phenomenon concerned the area as a whole and not some isolated building. Mr. Kondylis also emphasized that staying in indoor spaces with air conditioning or air purifiers was considered the safest option, until there was a clearer picture of the nature of the substance that caused the bad smell.
“When there is no information, you cannot properly reassure people. And if a similar phenomenon occurs again, we will not yet have the experience and knowledge to manage it better.”
New announcement from Enaon EDA: “No natural gas leak”
Meanwhile, Enaon EDA issued a new announcement on Wednesday morning regarding the intense smell, which existed yesterday, Tuesday (19/5) for several hours in the atmosphere in areas of Attica, mainly in the southern suburbs. As it pointed out, the checks on the natural gas network of Attica were completed at 22:30 and no natural gas leak was detected, nor was there any finding related to the distribution network.
The network management company, Enaon EDA referred to the calls received yesterday by the company’s Emergency Response Center from several citizens, emphasizing that: “The company is in cooperation with the competent authorities and always operates with public safety in mind, protection of its personnel and the integrity of its infrastructure, contributing to the uninterrupted and safe distribution of natural gas.”
Enaon’s announcement after the checks:
“The competent standby teams immediately went to the areas of Attica from where mass calls from citizens came, for the necessary technical checks. The company strengthened the structure of Emergency Response and mobilized special equipment to conduct the checks.
The Emergency Response Center of Enaon EDA received more than 356 calls from citizens from areas such as Voula, Vouliagmeni, Vari, Glyfada, Ilioupoli, Argyroupoli, P. Faliro, Nea Smyrni, Vyronas.
In total, more than 28 technical teams of the company went to the aforementioned areas to conduct the necessary checks, while two additional vehicles equipped with Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) technology of the Picarro Surveyor system were mobilized for additional checks. This technology is up to 1,000 times more efficient in terms of sensitivity and accuracy compared to traditional methods, allowing rapid and reliable detection in large control areas.
The company is in cooperation with the competent authorities and always operates with public safety in mind, protection of its personnel and the integrity of its infrastructure, contributing to the uninterrupted and safe distribution of natural gas.
It is reminded that for any safety issue concerning the natural gas distribution network, consumers can contact the Emergency Response Center of Enaon EDA on the telephone line 800 1187 878 which operates on a 24-hour basis.”
Mystery with the intense gas smell in areas of Athens
It is reminded that according to the Fire Service, the searches and checks that were carried out were completed without any clear finding. At the same time, in an announcement by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection it is pointed out that, after communication with DESFA, no leak or other malfunction has been detected so far in the Revythousa facilities.
The intense smell was recorded shortly before 12 noon on Tuesday in several areas of the basin, with greater intensity in the southern suburbs and along the coastal front. As it became known, the Unified Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIΚ) began receiving from 11:40 successive calls from citizens about LPG smell in various areas of Attica, with the Fire Service immediately mobilizing vehicles to conduct checks at the points of the reports.
Correspondingly, from ENAON EDA Attica, as emphasized in the relevant announcement of the ministry, it was reported that no related problem has been identified. At the same time, in communication with the Operations Center of the Coast Guard, in extensive checks it has performed for passing gas transport ships, no related incident was reported. The General Secretariat of Environment of the Ministry of Environment with the Environmental Inspectors Department, as well as the competent Environmental Directorate of the Attica Region were informed about the incident from the beginning. “With the data so far, the fixed meters have no indication of increased pollutants nor is there any other indication beyond the unpleasant smell,” the ministry’s announcement concluded.
Kolydas map with wind direction and possible causes
In his post, meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas, analyzing the direction of the winds, does not rule out that the smell came from the sea, indicating as possible sources port or maritime activities, fuels, sewage but even organic decomposition or phytoplankton.
Kolydas’ post:
The intense smell that became noticeable in areas of Attica, such as Nea Smyrni, the coastal front and the center of Athens, caused concern to citizens and mobilization of the competent authorities. From the checks so far there is no natural gas leak, a fact that turns the investigation to other possible sources. The preliminary analysis with backward trajectories #HYSPLIT shows that the air masses that reached the areas where the smell was reported had previously moved from a south-southeast marine or coastal sector. This element makes meteorologically compatible a marine or coastal origin, without however proving the exact cause. Possible sources that need to be investigated are port or maritime activities, fuels, sewage, organic decomposition or phytoplankton. For a safe conclusion, field chemical measurements and cross-referencing with meteorological data are required.
🎯GAS ODOR IN ATTICA
✅The intense smell that became noticeable in areas of Attica, such as Nea Smyrni, the coastal front and the center of Athens, caused concern to citizens and mobilization of the competent authorities. From the checks so far there is no natural gas leak… pic.twitter.com/nOKJ0HhT21— Theodoros Kolydas (@KolydasT) May 19, 2026
