Police have lifted all security measures in Kallithea, in southern Athens, after two apartment blocks were evacuated on Tuesday afternoon when two vials containing a suspicious and potentially dangerous substance were found.

The vials were discovered in a building at 174 Laskaridou Street, and a second block, at 91 Iatridou Street, was also cleared as a precaution. They were reported to the Fire Service by a flat owner who said the contents appeared to be crystallised picric acid, a compound historically used in the manufacture of explosives. Early reports suggested the substance was most likely picric acid, though identifying it was a matter for the specialists.

A team from the police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (TEEM) went to both buildings, carried out checks and collected the vials. Residents were kept out of the buildings until the experts had finished their work.

Once the vials had been removed and the checks completed, the police measures in the area were lifted and the situation returned to normal.