Trikala District Prosecutor Eftychia Meletopoulou has upgraded the charges regarding the deadly explosion at the “Violanta” industrial facility. Following the collection of new, damning evidence by the Arson Crime Unit (DAEE), charges against the business owner, safety engineer, and shift supervisor have been upgraded from negligent homicide to voluntary manslaughter.
The same severity upgrade now applies to charges of explosion and arson, while charges of causing bodily harm in series remain. The prosecutor, who actively participates in all aspects of the investigation, reached this decision as preliminary evidence reveals criminal negligence and violation of legislation at multiple levels.
“Violanta”: Expert had withdrawn after financial disagreement with owner
According to ERTnews sources, investigations revealed that five months prior, there were numerous reports of gas odors, which were never properly investigated. Sources report that a private expert called to assess the situation withdrew after a financial disagreement with the owner, leaving the problem unresolved.
Additionally, according to the same ERTnews sources, it was determined that underground pipelines lacked necessary certifications, while above-ground tanks had been deemed unsuitable since 2019. Specifically, the tanks were located just 5.4 meters from the facility’s boundaries, while law requires a minimum distance of 7.5 meters. Despite warnings, the tanks were never relocated, and remarkably, they were not documented in any official topographical diagram.
All the above evidence is now available to the Arson Crime Unit (DAEE). The case file remains open and is expected to be completed once DAEE officials submit their final findings document, which will precisely determine the causes that led to the tragedy.
