The owner of the company Violanta, Konstantinos Tziortziotis, has been rearrested in connection with the deadly explosion that claimed the lives of five women working at the biscuit factory.

He was arrested shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Saturday after the Public Prosecutor of First Instance of Trikala, Eftychia Meletopoulou, reassessed new evidence gathered by the Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE) and upgraded the indictment. The company owner, the safety technician, and the shift supervisor now face charges of homicide with possible intent following the fatal explosion.

It is noted that Konstantinos Tziortziotis had initially been arrested on January 27 along with the safety technician and the shift supervisor, and they were charged with negligent homicide (a misdemeanor), explosion, negligent arson, and bodily harm.

At present, the owner of Violanta is being held at the Trikala Fire Service and will shortly be transferred to the Trikala Courthouse to appear before the investigating judge and the prosecutor.

Reports of Gas Odors Ignored

According to information from ERT, investigations revealed that five months earlier there had been serious reports of strong gas odors, which were never substantially examined. Sources state that a private expert who was called to assess the situation withdrew after a financial disagreement with the owner, leaving the problem unresolved.

Additionally, it was found that the underground pipelines lacked the necessary certifications, while the above-ground tanks had already been deemed unsuitable since 2019. Specifically, the tanks were located just 5.4 meters from the company’s boundary, whereas the law requires a minimum distance of 7.5 meters. Despite these findings, the tanks were not relocated, and notably, they did not appear on any official topographical diagram.

“I Was Pressured to Violate Specifications,” Says Plumber

Authorities are also closely examining the testimony of the 70-year-old plumber who installed the underground pipelines from which the leak originated, leading to the fatal fire.

The plumber claimed he was pressured by the owner to violate the required technical specifications.

“When they called me to install the pipelines, I saw they had dug a pit. The owner told me, ‘Run a pipe from the tank to the wall.’ I told him it doesn’t work like that — there are specific specifications: insulation, special coating, and much more. The owner said, ‘Aren’t I paying you? Do what I’m telling you.’ So I was forced to do it.”

All of the above evidence is now in the hands of the Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE). The case file remains open and is expected to be completed once DAEE officials submit their final report, which will determine the exact causes of the tragedy.

This development led to the owner’s arrest under a warrant issued by the investigating judge, marking a new phase in the investigation into the tragedy that shocked the local community.