Alpha News

Trikala Factory Explosion: Propane Leak Ongoing for 4-5 Months

Published January 28, 2026, 21:08

Following a four-hour hearing with the prosecutor in Trikala, the owner, safety technician, and shift technician of the “Violanta” biscuit factory were released with a requirement for further investigative actions after a fatal explosion that killed five female workers. The investigation revealed that a propane leak, caused by pipe perforation in the ground, had been ongoing for 4-5 months prior to the explosion. Propane was transferred from tanks to the ovens via pipelines, with sensors intended to detect leaks. However, the leak was extensive in the soil and reached the basement through cracks in the concrete, where it ignited from a spark from an electric pump. The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection expressed his gratitude to the Fire Department for managing the tragic incident.