Two suspected burglars and the police officers who arrested them were trapped inside an Exarcheia apartment and had to be rescued by firefighters. The incident occurred after officers responded to reports of a break-in at a residence where the homeowners were away on holiday.
According to information, the two men had targeted the apartment in Exarcheia knowing that its owners were away for vacation. They initially attempted to force open the main entrance of the building, but were unable to break through. The pair then reportedly decided to gain access to the apartment through a balcony door instead.
Neighbours noticed the presence of the two men at the property and promptly alerted the police. Officers rushed to the scene and also entered the residence by going through the balcony door.
Exarcheia is a central district in Athens, the capital of Greece, situated near the city centre and characterized by apartment blocks and commercial streets. Emergency rescue operations across the country are carried out by the Hellenic Fire Service, which frequently assists police during unusual structural or containment emergencies.
Evacuation via balcony
During a search of the interior, police located the two men, restrained them, and placed them under arrest. Reports indicate that the suspects were found in possession of items they had taken from inside the home.
The operation took an unexpected turn immediately after the arrest. The main front door of the apartment remained closed, leaving both the two arrested suspects and the responding officers trapped inside the property without a way out.
Unable to leave through the main entrance, officers called for assistance from the fire department. Firefighters arrived at the scene and managed to safely evacuate everyone trapped inside the apartment by removing them through the balcony.
According to information, the two arrested men are originally from Georgia and have been known to law enforcement authorities in the past for similar offenses. Competent police authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.
