Greek authorities are investigating the causes of a deadly explosion at a food factory in Trikala, Greece after new video footage emerged showing the moment of the blast. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, claimed the lives of five women working the night shift, while the identification process of the victims is still ongoing.
Videos reveal the scale of the blast
Videos circulating online show the force of the explosion that rocked the premises of the Violanta factory in Trikala, shortly before dawn on Monday. The explosion was followed by a large fire that spread rapidly through parts of the facility.
According to initial reports, five female employees on the night shift lost their lives. Fire Service crews recovered a fifth body on Monday afternoon, as confirmed by Trikala’s deputy mayor for civil protection, Giorgos Katavoutas, speaking to local media.
DNA identification under way
A Fire Service spokesperson said investigators are collecting human remains from the site, which will be analysed using DNA methods to determine whether they belong to the fourth or fifth victim. At the same time, relatives of the deceased have been asked to provide DNA samples at Trikala General Hospital to assist with the formal identification of the bodies.
What authorities are examining
Fire Service officers consider a gas leak the most likely cause of the tragedy. According to information cited by the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), investigators are examining the possibility that propane leaked inside the factory, potentially in the production area where the ovens are located. A spark may then have triggered an instantaneous ignition, leading to the explosion and subsequent fire.
It has also emerged that the company operated two large nine-cubic-metre tanks containing a propane–butane mixture in the factory’s outdoor area. The gas was supplied to the production facilities through a network of specialised piping to power the manufacturing process.
Unanswered questions remain
What continues to puzzle investigators is the fact that none of the witnesses reported smelling gas before the explosion. For this reason, authorities are not ruling out the involvement of another chemical factor and are keeping all scenarios under review as the investigation continues.
The findings of the forensic and technical examinations are expected to be critical in establishing the exact sequence of events and determining accountability for one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.
Source: lifo.gr