Three Arrested After Deadly Biscuit Factory Fire in Greece

Greek authorities have arrested three people following a fire that killed five workers at a biscuit factory, the country’s deadliest industrial accident in years.

An early explosion destroyed an entire section of the Violanta factory near the central Greek city of Trikala. The detainees, all Greek nationals, face charges related to “acts and omissions linked to offences of negligent homicide and causing serious bodily harm.”

A source familiar with the case told AFP that those arrested include the factory owner, a well-known figure in Greece, as well as the night-shift supervisor on duty and the company’s safety manager.

Four of the victims were found shortly after the blast, while the body of the fifth woman was recovered only on Tuesday morning, as lingering pockets of fire complicated rescue operations, the fire brigade said earlier.

“The case will be investigated to the end… it is possible that even today we will have an initial picture of what caused the fire,” Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis told state broadcaster ERT. According to the Trikala prosecutor’s office, the investigation is being led by the fire service and will examine potential criminal responsibility for safety failures at the plant.

The deaths have shaken local communities around Trikala, where a large share of the company’s workforce is based. Colleagues and relatives said the women who died had opted for the night shift so they could spend daytime hours with their children.

Violanta said in a statement that it “strictly applies all safety protocols and procedures” and stressed that it is fully cooperating with the investigation. “We are mourning five of our own,” the company said.

The blaze ranks among Greece’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent years. According to the federation of technical company employees, more than 200 people were killed in work-related accidents in 2025. | BGNES