The owner of the Violanta biscuit factory appeared before a magistrate in Trikala on Tuesday after a deadly explosion at the facility claimed the lives of five female employees. Lawyers representing the owner requested a 48-hour extension.

Outside the courthouse, a group of factory employees gathered in support of their employer. They applauded him as he left the courthouse, showing solidarity while he sought the legal extension.

According to technical reports, warnings about safety hazards and structural flaws had been issued by professional engineers. A mechanical engineering office submitted a proposal last July highlighting issues in two factory buildings, including the one destroyed in the explosion. Their study noted that tank spacing violated regulations, pipe dimensions and distances were not recorded, and dangerous pressures of 1.5 bar ran through the system.

The office recommended a fire safety system be installed in compliance with the law, stressing that many employees worked on-site. However, the owner allegedly ignored these warnings. A retired plumber from Trikala testified that he was asked to connect a pipe from a propane tank to the building. Upon inspection, he found the trench already dug and the pipe installed incorrectly. When he raised safety concerns, the owner reportedly replied: “I am the owner; I will do whatever I want. You lay the pipe, and leave it to me. I will take responsibility.” The corroded pipe later caused the explosion.

Investigators also identified an underground network connecting two above-ground propane tanks, of 5,000 and 9,000 liters, to the destroyed building. Forensic examination revealed perforations along the network. Factory blueprints indicated the presence of underground tanks that were omitted from the official records. The surveyor stated that the basement was never used and contained mold, which is why it was excluded.

A parallel inspection at Violanta’s second factory in Petroporo, Larissa, revealed a suspected gas leak in propane tanks and led to a temporary closure for lacking fire safety certificates and related studies. Authorities also confirmed that the facility’s gas shut-off valve was improperly installed, disconnected from the main system, and would not have functioned in the event of a leak.