Trikala: “An inspection team had visited the factory in the summer”

Questions have been raised by the workplace accident following the deadly fire at the facilities of the “Violanta” factory in Trikala, which has so far claimed the lives of four female workers, while one more remains missing.

As the president of the Trikala Labor Center, Dimitris Armagos, told NEWS 24/7—who was at the site from the first hours after the fire broke out—already since the summer, the Hygiene and Safety Department of the Labor Inspectorate, together with a representative of the Labor Center, had visited the specific factory in the summer regarding issues of hygiene and safety protection measures, as well as other factories in the area.

“There were observations on these issues. That is why we will request the report immediately from the competent department. We are calling for the full clarification of the causes that led to the fire and the explosion and resulted in the deaths of four female workers so far. Workplaces must stop being dangerous for those who go to earn a day’s wage,” he stressed.

“Our tongue has grown weary from pointing out the measures that must be taken for hygiene and safety overall in businesses and factories in our area,” Mr. Armagos added.

The president of the Labor Center emphasized that, as expected, the workers are in shock. “Relatives also came outside the factory, struggling to find out what was happening to their loved ones,” he said.

“We had difficulties approaching the workers from the specific factory. Our access reached as far as the gate,” he noted, while stressing that workers in the area will proceed with mobilizations and strikes.

At the same time, the special Environmental Advisor to the Governor of Thessaly, Dimitris Kouretas, the chemist Zisis Argyropoulos, was also present at the site. He noted that samples have been taken from the soil of the area to determine whether there is contamination, thus assisting the work of the Fire Service.

In any case, investigations by the Fire Service’s Directorate for the Confrontation of Arson Crimes are continuing, both to locate the last missing person and to determine the causes that led to the accident.

Everything happened shortly before 4:00 a.m., when the fire broke out and is still burning, with firefighting operations ongoing.

According to information, there were 13 people in the wing, five of whom were initially not located. These were female workers who were in the production department. Shortly before 9:00 a.m., four bodies of workers were found, while one person remains missing.

The bodies are being transferred to the General Hospital of Larissa for autopsy and identification. According to information, seven people have been injured, one of whom is a firefighter, and all the injured are in good health.

Six workers hospitalized

More specifically, six workers have been transferred to hospital after the deadly explosion. A firefighter has also been transferred, according to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

As Mr. Georgiadis explained, the patients mainly have respiratory problems and there is no cause for concern regarding their health. The minister added that two psychologists were sent from the Karditsa Hospital to support the patients and their families.

“They are in good health. They have nothing serious. They mainly have respiratory problems and there is no danger and no concern for their lives. We have also sent two psychologists from the Karditsa Hospital for psychological support for them and their families.”

It is noted that at the time the fire broke out, the factory was operating, as it runs on a 24-hour shift.

Large explosion before the fire

According to testimonies, the fire broke out after a large explosion. In fact, it is said to have been so powerful that it was heard in the city and at a very great distance in villages, where windows rattled.

So far, the cause remains unknown.

However, as can be seen in images, due to the fire part of the building was leveled, resulting in the factory literally being split in two.

The statement by “Violanta”

The company also issued a statement regarding the incident, in which it notes that the fire broke out from an unknown cause. It is noted that the statement was issued while five people were missing.

In detail:

“Today, a serious incident occurred at our factory facilities during the night shift, due to a cause that remains unknown so far.

The Fire Service and the competent authorities are at the scene and are operating.

There are five missing employees, and every possible effort is being made by the Fire Service and the competent authorities to locate them.

At this moment, the only thing that concerns us is our people. We stand by them and their families and are doing everything possible to support them. At the same time, we are fully cooperating with the competent authorities and providing every available assistance.”