Four female workers were killed, while one is still missing after a powerful explosion and a fire at a biscuit factory in Trikala, central Greece, early Monday morning.
Six workers were taken to hospital with respiratory problems, while also a firefighter has been reportedly injured.
A loud explosion, heard even 10 km away, occurred short before 4 a.m. caused a fire that destroyed the factory.
According to the Fire Service, at the time of the incident, 13 people were inside the factory that operates 24/7 and eight of them managed to exit.
The explosion seems to have occurred at the area where the furnaces were operating, which were working on a 24-hour basis.
Media reported that the explosion caused parts of the building to collapse, as well as panels to fall due to the shock wave.
The bodies of the workers were char-coaled, while another three women and two men managed to flee the inferno at the last moment.
EMAK rescue teams are operating in the area along with 40 firefighters, 13 vehicles and local administration machinery.
The victims were residents of nearby villages.
Investigation seeks the causes of the tragedy
While rescue teams and firefighters are seeking to locate the 5th missing woman worker, an investigation is underway to find out the causes of the explosion that cut the production wing of the factory in two.
“This wing was a production line and warehouses,” Dinos Bardas, regional councilor of Trikala, told media.
“There was such a big shock wave that it could not have come from a gas cylinder, nor from some small leak, he added.
The fire broke out shortly before 4:00 in the morning, after a deafening explosion in the factory building. An eyewitness and worker at the factory reported that there were no gas tanks at that particular point, which raises questions about the exact causes of the explosion.
Substances such as ammonia and propane are being considered as possible causes.
Company statement
Biscuit company VIOLANTA issued a statement saying:
“Today, a serious incident occurred at our factory premises, during the night shift, due to a cause that is currently unknown.
The Fire Department and the competent authorities are operating in the area.
There are 5 missing employees and every effort is being made by the Fire Department and the competent authorities to locate them.
At this time, the only thing that concerns us is our people. We stand by them and their families and do everything possible to support them. At the same time, we are fully cooperating with the competent authorities and providing all available assistance.”
The company issued its announcement prior to the discovery of the three dead.
