Violanta: Outrage over Tziortziotis’ release – Victims’ families file appeal

The conditional release of the owner of the “Violanta” company, Kostas Tziortziotis, has sparked reactions, with the relatives of the five workers who lost their lives in the deadly explosion at the factory in the early hours of January 26 filing an appeal against the decision.

The victims’ families have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling, and the relevant request was submitted to the Larissa Prosecutor’s Office by the lawyer representing them, Christos Patounas.

According to ERT, the appeal seeks a review of the judicial council’s decision, which had also been challenged by the competent prosecutor, and requests that the businessman remain in custody.

For Kostas Tziortziotis’ release, restrictive measures were imposed, including a ban on leaving the country and the obligation to report once a month to a police station.

It is recalled that the owner of “Biolanta” had been remanded in custody in February 2026 and remained detained for approximately six and a half months, until his release on Tuesday.

Kostas Tziortziotis faces charges of explosion with possible intent, multiple counts of negligent manslaughter over the deaths of the five workers, as well as multiple counts of causing bodily harm. The families’ appeal will now be examined by the competent judicial authorities.

Following the company owner’s release, his lawyers Michalis Dimitrakopoulos and Giorgos Panagiotou issued the following statement:

“Almost seven months have passed since the tragic day when five female workers at the ‘Violanta’ factory lost their lives in an explosion caused by an underground propane leak.

Months of unbearable grief for the victims’ families, months of anxiety for the 350 employees over their jobs, months of suffering for Konstantinos Tziortziotis because the women who were tragically lost were friends, fellow residents of the area, people close to him.

These women will unfortunately never return, but the company will stand by the children and families of the victims forever. This is the least that can be done, honouring their memory in a practical way.”

According to ERT, the daughter of one of the workers who died in the deadly explosion commented on the statement, saying that “what they can do for us is to be convicted for the murder of our loved ones.”

The January 26 tragedy

The case began in the early hours of January 26, 2026, when a powerful explosion occurred at the facilities of BIOLANTA in Trikala. Five female workers lost their lives in the explosion and the fire that followed, while other employees were injured.

According to the findings of the investigation so far, the explosion is linked to a propane leak from an underground pipe network. The gas is believed to have accumulated in an underground area of the factory and, according to investigators’ findings, only a spark was needed to trigger the blast.