Three people, including the owner of the Violanta biscuit factory, are to be brought before the Trikala public prosecutor on Wednesday following the deadly explosion and fire that killed five women workers at the company’s facilities.
The arrests were carried out on Tuesday, January 27, by Greece’s Arson Crimes Investigation Directorate, which is conducting the preliminary investigation into the incident. Those detained are the factory owner, the safety technician, and the technician on duty during the night shift when the explosion occurred.
Findings point to propane leak
According to information from the investigation, two of the three court-appointed experts concluded that an explosion of the magnitude that destroyed the Violanta factory could only have been caused by a propane gas leak.
Testimony from an employee on the same shift indicates that there was a noticeable smell of gas in the production area prior to the explosion. The area housed the industrial ovens, and investigators believe this is where the ignition occurred, triggering the blast. Two large propane tanks were located in the factory yard, supplying the production area via a network of pipes.
The Fire Service has confirmed that a criminal case file is being prepared against the three arrested individuals for acts and omissions related to serious offences, including manslaughter by negligence, multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, arson, and causing an explosion. During an on-site inspection, investigators identified propane pipes in the basement area that had been punctured. This finding is considered central to the case.
Workers warned of danger days earlier
Further testimony from employees indicates that the smell of gas had been present in the factory for several days before the incident. Complaints were reportedly made to those in charge, but no corrective action was taken.
Investigators believe this failure to respond to repeated warnings played a decisive role in the chain of events that led to the deaths of the five women working the night shift.
Fire safety checks under scrutiny
The case file will also include a review of fire safety inspections carried out by the Fire Service, focusing on the propane tanks and the factory premises as a whole.
The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors expected to assess individual responsibilities once the suspects appear before judicial authorities.