Cyprus Times

“I am the boss and you will do what I tell you.” The plumber’s testimony about the Violanta factory

Published February 17, 2026, 17:08
“I am the boss and you will do what I tell you.” The plumber’s testimony about the Violanta factory

The testimony of a plumber from Trikala to the police regarding the fatal explosion at the Violanta factory brings to light serious safety issues and negligence. The plumber stated that he was asked to connect an external propane tank to the building, without considering his suggestions for the safe installation of the pipe. Specifically, according to his testimony, the owner of the company told him: “I am the boss and you will do what I tell you. You put the pipe in and I’m responsible from now on for what happens.” The plumber described that the pipe was placed directly on the ground, without any protection or sealing, and already showed signs of corrosion. At the same time, it was revealed that the factory's topographic diagram did not record the existence of underground tanks. The surveyor engineer justified himself by saying that he knew about the existence of the underground space, but did not declare it because it was considered inactive. Furthermore, it was found that the gas supply shut-off valve was not connected to a leak detection system and had been placed on a branch of the main pipeline and not on the pipeline itself. This means that even if there were leak detectors, they would not be able to function effectively. Experts estimate that the leak was so large that it was not detected by the safety valve of the propane tank, highlighting serious safety gaps in the company. This particular testimony sheds light on the conditions prevailing at the factory and raises questions about compliance with safety regulations and the responsibility of those involved in the construction and operation of the facility. Investigations are ongoing to determine all the circumstances that led to the tragic explosion.