Philenews

Violanti Owner Rearrested as Charges Upgraded to Manslaughter

Published February 14, 2026, 17:13
Violanti Owner Rearrested as Charges Upgraded to Manslaughter

The owner of the Violanti biscuit factory has been rearrested after the prosecutor upgraded the charges to manslaughter, following the evaluation of new evidence. The upgrade of the indictment also applies to the safety technician and the shift supervisor. According to investigations, there were reports of a gas leak five months ago, which were not addressed. An expert withdrew due to a financial disagreement, leaving the problem unresolved. In addition, the underground pipelines did not have the necessary certifications and the above-ground tanks had been deemed unsuitable as early as 2019, while they did not comply with the prescribed safety distances. The Fire Crime Investigation Directorate (DAEE) continues its investigations and is expected to complete its report, which will determine the exact causes of the tragedy. The arrest of the owner marks a new phase in the investigations into the explosion that claimed the lives of five women. The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about the safety of industrial facilities and their supervision.