After four hours before the public prosecutor, the owner of the Violanta industrial company and the two company executives who had been arrested in connection with the factory explosion were released, since the investigation has not yet been completed.

The case is still at a preliminary stage, and expert reports from all sides have not yet been incorporated into the file.

According to information available so far, once the prosecutor has the complete case file in hand, decisions will be made regarding the next steps.

The case file and the arrests of the three individuals

It should be noted that the three individuals were arrested by the Fire Service following findings by officers of the Directorate for the Investigation of Arson Crimes. The case file that was compiled is about the offenses of manslaughter by negligence (multiple counts), explosion, arson by negligence, and causing bodily harm.

Regarding the three arrests, the Fire Service stated earlier today in an official briefing:

“Following specialized inspections using nitrogen, a leak was detected in the ground. This led to the opening of a trench and excavation to a depth of approximately 60 centimeters, where an extensive underground leak was identified.

The leak is estimated to have been ongoing for several months, with detection instruments recording extremely high concentrations of propane. This significant release of propane migrated through the soil over a distance of approximately 25 meters and became trapped in an underground space, where, in the presence of sparking caused by the facility’s electromechanical equipment, it resulted in an explosion.

As a result of the above, on 27 January 2026, three (3) Greek nationals were arrested for acts and omissions related to the offenses of manslaughter by negligence, multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, arson, and explosion, at the business premises located in the Municipal Unit of Megala Kalyvia, Municipality of Trikala.”